Laconia Motorcycle Week a smooth ride so far

WEIRS BEACH — The 101st Laconia Motorcycle Week rally has been exceptionally safe thus far, according to Laconia Fire Chief Tim Joubert. There have been no deaths associated with the event nor any near-fatal accidents.

The fire department instead is busy completing vendor inspections in tight quarters, particularly along Lakeside Avenue. The uptick in traffic as the week marches on doesn’t make the job any easier — Joubert said the fire department increased their presence significantly on Wednesday due to a major uptick in vehicles navigating the busiest village in the city. 

“One of the responsibilities that we have is to the vendors, to make sure they’re compliant,” Joubert said. “State and local codes, and I can’t say how unbelievable and accommodating the [vendors are] to allow us into their venues at any time with open arms to do our inspections.”

Joubert said fire department employees have ventured up and down the boulevard the entire week to carry out their duties and businesses have been helpful.

“The fire department has been up and down Lakeside [Avenue],” he said. “That relationship has been really, really good.”

The weather is expected to be warm through the weekend, with a high Thursday of 83 degrees, and Joubert asked civilians to be vigilant and avoid heat-related sickness.

“Make sure you stay hydrated, drink plenty of water,” he said. “Especially if you’re going to be on your motorcycle for a long time.”

Laconia Police Department Chief Matt Canfield said security at the rally has been successful thus far and police and fire have responded to just a few minor accidents.

“Yesterday was a busy day, there was a lot of traffic throughout the entire day,” Canfield said Thursday. “Motorcycle accidents were significantly down. The ones we had were non-injury, which was good.”

Canfield emphasized the importance of riding safely and wearing a helmet.

“Safe helmet use and the general motoring public to pay attention, look twice. Sometimes it can be difficult to see motorcyclists,” he said. “We look forward to a very busy weekend and the weather looks good so we’re excited about that.”

Laconia Motorcycle Week Deputy Director Jennifer Anderson said a significant level of planning takes place to guarantee emergency personnel have sufficient access to densely populated areas throughout the rally.

“There’s a lot of planning that goes [on] behind the scenes for that, because not just for the regulations on the property, but to make sure that the safety personnel can actually get through places,” Anderson said. “Lakeside Avenue alone, it’s remarkable that you guys are able to even get down there as efficiently as you do.”

Firefighters received a number of calls Wednesday from concerned citizens who noted odd behavior from some attending the rally. Joubert noted Lakeside Avenue is congested, and asked anyone who calls 911 out of concern for another to stay nearby until first responders arrive on scene.

“If you make that phone call and you feel like somebody needs help, try to remain with that person and try to just find a landmark to kind of pinpoint where they might be,” he said. “It’s definitely going to reduce the time it takes for us to get there and provide care.”

With the rally moving forward without any significant safety or security issues, Anderson noted the hill climb event at Gunstock Mountain Resort on Tuesday went well and was perhaps busier this year than last.

“I just could not even believe how many people were there,” she said. “The stunt shows that they had going on, just so incredible to watch.”

The M/S Mount Washington cruise, held on Wednesday night, was a success, she said. And a tattoo contest was to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday evening on the beach at the NASWA Resort. 

“There’s a lot going on,” Anderson said. “We are at Rally Headquarters daily from 8 a.m. until at least 9 p.m., so anytime people have questions or want to get maps to be able to tour the area, we are there for you.”