MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The Myrtle Beach City Council is hoping the upcoming Harley-Davidson motorcycle rally stays a four-day event.

The council passed a resolution this week recognizing the May event, and council members criticized business efforts to draw bikers the weekend before.

But the city is preparing for the bikers' tendency to stay two weekends in May.

"I don't want to discourage those people from coming," Myrtle Beach City Councilwoman Judy Rodman said. "When you extend it like that, what you've done is have bikers the whole month. It's tough to get around, it's tough to get in your favorite restaurant or store," Rodman said. "It's asking a lot of the people that live here year round."

Businesses and those in hospitality appreciate the financial impact bike rallies have on the Grand Strand's economy, but want to keep the rowdiness to a minimum.

The event draws thousands of bikers and officially runs May 18-21.

Sonny Copeland, who is getting vendors for booths at the Sam's Club event, said he doesn't think the city and county do enough to attract bikers.

"Myrtle Beach is a 10-day event. Any way you slice it, people plan on coming," he said. "A lot of people have got time shares, and they're there for seven days."