“The center-point of riding a motorcycle, and of life itself, is Freedom.” – Foster Kinn
Perhaps it’s because I am a summer gal, but Rebel Road has always been one of my favorite festivals in Muskegon.
Rebel Road is a five-day event held in downtown Muskegon along Western Avenue with concerts, motorcycle stunt shows, biker contests, organized rides, and thousands of motorcylces parked on the street. The best part: Most events are free and it embodies Americana.
Rebel Road kicks off today in downtown and runs through the weekend, July 17-21. I always put it on my calendar and don’t think I have missed one. Some family members used to ride motorcycles, but I have personally never owned one.
Some people complain about the noise and traffic. But in my opinion, Rebel Road shows off the best of our community. It captures the essence of why people enjoy riding a motorcycle. And it showcases how we can all come together and get along.
Considering the current state of our country, it offers a real-life lesson in civility.
Rebel Road welcomes bikers
It’s hard to really explain the atmosphere if you’ve never been there. The motorcycle takeover of downtown brings people together from all walks of life to celebrate freedom. The vibe is chill mixed with respect.
Western Avenue is closed to regular traffic and transforms into Rebel Road. People of all ages, incomes, and ethnicities descend on downtown to take in a full-on sensory experience. Live music. Loud motorcycles. Smoke. Cheers. Chaps. Tattoos. And the best people watching around.
For several blocks, all you can see is motorcycles and a steady stream of people walking around. Even if you don’t ride a motorcycle, it’s fun to admire the fancy paint jobs and custom accessories as well as cheer on the people doing burnouts.
Muskegon’s motorcycle history
Rebel Road and Muskegon Bike Time are two separate events that occur together. I’m sure attendees don’t care about the ins and outs of the behind-the-scenes organization. They want to have a fun experience and ride motorcycles. With beautiful scenery and scenic rides along the Lake Michigan coast, West Michigan is a great destination for people who want to ride their motorcycle on vacation.
Muskegon has a rich motorcycle history. The Muskegon Motorcycle Club (MMC), founded in 1920, is older than the American Motorcycle Association. The MMC established what would become the first professional hill climb in the United States in 1923. The Muskegon Motorcycle Club still hosts the National Hill Climb Competition held at Mt. Garfield.
Near Western Avenue and Shoreline Drive, Hot Rod Harley-Davidson has a large showroom with historic Harley memorabilia.
This year, attendees can also enjoy a Vintage Motorcycle Display 11 a.m.-4 p.m Saturday, July 20, in front of the Muskegon Heritage Museum of Business and Industry. Or take a break from the action and tour the Hackley & Hume Historic Site. Read my blog on that here.
Downtown on display
Held annually on the third weekend in July, Muskegon Bike Time started in 2007 and had a successful run until organizers tried a new site away from downtown. However, they moved it back to downtown’s Hot Rod Harley dealership several years ago.
Rebel Road then stepped in to continue the event downtown. The rally was “built by community” to support downtown Muskegon businesses as well as the Child Abuse Council of Muskegon County. The Council helps plan and coordinate Rebel Road, and proceeds from the beverage tents in downtown benefit the Child Abuse Council of Muskegon County to support our local kids.
In addition, the annual event draws large crowds to the breweries and restaurants that have opened in the years since it started.
Rebel Road schedule
A few highlights of Rebel Road include:
- Free nightly concerts
- Motorcycle stunt shows
- Veteran tribute
- Canna comedy show
- Rebel Road Rally Run
- Miss Rebel Road and Tattoo Contest
- Vintage Motorcycle Display
- Vendors, food, and camping
For a complete schedule of events, visit Rebel Road events.
Muskegon Bike Time takes place at Hot Rod Harley-Davidson and also features concerts, vendors, food, contests, and motorcycle parking. You can walk between the two events while watching the parade of motorcycles on Western Avenue.
A few highlights include:
- Vendors and demo rides
- Cornhole and Dart Games, Hot Babe Bike Wash, Bikini Contest
- Arm Wrestling Competition, Dad Bod Contest, and Tattoo Contest
- Live bands nightly, including Let There Be Rock and KatMandu: Bob Seger Tribute
- Food, camping, and bike parking
- 10 a.m. Sunday, July 21, Patriot Ride
For the full schedule, visit the Muskegon Bike Time event schedule.
Rebel Road Muskegon success story
Together, Rebel Road and Bike Time continue to attract motorcyclists and onlookers for the atmosphere, concerts, entertainment, and revelry.
In the center of the downtown traffic circle, Richard Hunt’s “Muskegon, Together Rising” sculpture stands tall as a reminder of how far the city has come. I wrote about the sculpture in this Muskegon Chronicle story from 2008.
The motorcycle rally has been part of Muskegon’s “rise from the ashes” renaissance. When it began, downtown didn’t have much action. I know because I lived there. Businesses and lots sat vacant, and there weren’t many people around.
The motorcycle rally helped bring life back to downtown, even if it was for one weekend in July. The event draws an estimated 100,000 people and 75,000 motorcycles from across the country annually.
Many motorcycle riders return year after year. And locals come out to enjoy the spectacle and free entertainment too.
Lesson in civility
Rebel Road exemplifies the American spirit. It serves as a reminder that we can coexist. That we’re more alike than different. That your neighbor displaying the American flag – on their home, boat, or motorcycle – isn’t the enemy. In reality, most people don’t care about your politics, race, or religion.
It reminds us that when we get off of our computers and out of our homes, we might make a new friend, see a new perspective, or step out of our comfort zone.
According to the Institute for Civility, “Civility is claiming and caring for one’s identity, needs, and beliefs without degrading someone else’s in the process.”
Talk to strangers
As an aside, a few months ago, I stumbled upon YouTuber Peter Santenello. He travels the country and talks to normal, everyday people without any spin. Watching him reminds me why, back in the day, I enjoyed being a local journalist because that’s often what I did… I would walk up to strangers and start talking to them. I covered the early Bike Time festivals for the Muskegon Chronicle.
His YouTube page states:
“I make videos showing you a world that the media fails to capture. No BS polarization or political angle—just pure authentic interactions with the locals. I present the story. You present your own opinion.”
We started with the Appalachia and Titus videos. Titus lives off-grid in Kentucky and has no I.D. or birth certificate. He walks around barefoot, grows his own food, and drives a horse and buggy. In one video, Titus talks about wanting to kill himself but didn’t thanks to his relationship with God. So, now he goes around preaching to people and wants to build a church. They hitchhiked to Nashville together in another video.
Seek to understand
I have watched Santenello’s videos on the border, where he spoke with local sheriffs and took viewers across a hand-pulled car ferry into Mexico. We’ve watched videos on the Amish, Chicago, San Francisco, and the Bronx, on the wasteful spending in Washington, D.C., on the Native American tribes throughout the country, and off-gridders in Hawaii and Alaska.
One couple lived in Philly and moved to Alaska after the guy lost his sister to fentanyl. His parents also joined them. They wanted peace and quiet, to get away from the drugs, and away from people who think you’re a horrible person if you express a different opinion.
He recently talked to an old-time crabber living on an island in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay. What most of these people share has a common theme: We all want freedom from being over-taxed, over-regulated, and told how to live. We want opportunity and an affordable place to live!
Rebel Road Ride Free
The Rebel Road tagline is “Ride Free. Stop the Abuse.” Besides supporting a good cause – helping children suffering from abuse and neglect – Rebel Road reminds us to stop the abuse of ourselves and others too. We can all do our part to stop the division – the shaming, blaming, and hating.
I love Rebel Road and what it stands for – the vibe, the cause, and the diverse people who come together to share a pastime they love. And maybe it’s also the Muncie Southside Rebel in me. We grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, and many of us fought hard to get out. We keep it real. We speak the truth. We embody the rebel spirit.
At Rebel Road, riders and spectators gather together in a show of unity for the life we all want. A life free of violence, where it’s safe to gather and enjoy a summer night. A life that allows us to afford a motorcycle or “toy” of our choosing. A life where we can do what makes us happy. A life where we realize we’re more similar than different, we seek to understand, and we let people be free…to live and let live.
Marla R. Miller is an award-winning journalist, travel writer, and content marketing writer who lives in West Michigan. Please “like” or follow me on Facebook, X, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Let me help grow your business. Check out my Writing Services or Read My Work.
