WASHINGTON — A vendor of T-shirts, hoodies and other merchandise promoting sport motorcycling is defending a Dec. 27 biker ride on the Beltway in Prince George’s County, Maryland that stopped traffic and alarmed motorists.
On the warm, sunny Sunday afternoon about 100 motorcycles, sport bikes and ATVs took to the road for the ride. Some of them weaved between cars, popped wheelies, burned rubber, drove in the opposite direction of traffic — temporarily bringing motorists to a halt.
Maryland State police received numerous complaints but say the bikers dispersed by the time they arrived.
Suitland-based company BikeLife did not plan the event but said the company has faced backlash ever since. In an Instagram post, the company said that a group of bikers had intended to take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather.
There were no plans to stop traffic, though a few bikers chose to do so independently, the post states.
BikeLife also disputed reports that the bikers caused accidents and blamed the media for causing the backlash against the company.
“We are in no way shape or form a company that supports violence or any kind of harassment towards our fellow motorists,” the post states.
