'The motorcycle mecca of America': Harley-Davidson to celebrate 120 years with 4-day festival on Milwaukee's lakefront

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- While Milwaukee is known for its cheese and its beer, it's also known for its wheels, acting as the hometown for motorcycle giant Harley-Davidson since 1903.

This week, tens of thousands are expected to ride into the city to celebrate the company's 120th anniversary during its "Homecoming Festival."

“Imagine what it feels like to fly and be free," said Cathy Dial, who took her first ride when she was 15. 

Now she works as the regional representative for ABATE of Wisconsin, a grassroots lobby organization that advocates for motorcyclists, ensuring bikers are safe on the streets.

“We’re expecting great weather, we’re expecting to have riders from all around the world coming to visit for us, so not only to be able to immerse ourselves in our motorcycling culture but to be able to immerse ourselves in the cultures of other people who are coming here to Milwaukee to celebrate motorcycling with us," Dial said. “Motorcycling culture is imperative to Milwaukee. We are the motorcycling mecca of America.”

Dial said ABATE has worked with the state to highlight safety measures.

“On all the billboards that you’re going to see going across the highways, ABATE has worked really hard with the Department of Transportation to make sure that there are signs that say look twice for motorcycle," Dial said. “All of us motorcyclists really want to be able to get home to our own families. We are all moms, dads, sisters, brothers, everybody on this bike has somebody who loves them at home.”

That's an especially important reminder as the festival approaches, according to Michael Lawson, a trooper with the Wisconsin State Patrol. 

"It’s not one person’s responsibility, we want to increase our safety as much as we can," Lawson said, adding that motorcycle accidents tend to increase in the summer. “People are out on the bikes and everybody’s traveling and going on vacation and trying to enjoy this nice weather while we have it here in Wisconsin."

Lawson recommended wearing safety gear like helmets, long pants and long shirts, not driving while impaired, and double-checking blind spots.

“Obviously motorcycles are a lot smaller than the big vehicles so even on a motorcycle just give an extra check when we’re looking before we switch lanes or even when you come up to an intersection, let’s make sure that it’s clear or that someone’s not coming through," Lawson said. 

The festival runs July 13 through July 16 and will feature stunt shows, food vendors and live music with headliners like Foo Fighters and Green Day. 

For tickets and more information, click here.