Police in Nanaimo say they are seeing an alarming increase in motorcycle drivers pulling wheelies, video recording themselves, and generally riding in a dangerous manner.
According to an RCMP press release Monday, Sept. 23, there were 73 incidents reported in 2023 – after 50 in 2022 – that included motorcyclists sometimes riding two and three abreast, riding on the wrong side of the road and driving toward oncoming vehicles, driving at night with no lights on, cutting in and out of traffic and riding on sidewalks at high rates of speed with no regard for the safety of pedestrians.
“In one incident alone, an officer witnessed a motorcyclist near the University Village mall stunting and driving recklessly,” said reserve Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesperson, in the release. “It also appeared to the officer that the rider was trying to bait the officer into pursuing the bike. With a full-face shield and no licence on the bike, it makes it very difficult to determine who the individual is.”
Many of the stunts have been posted to various social media platforms, the release noted, and fines for such activities can range from $196 to $598 under the Motor Vehicle Act. If the behaviour is egregious enough, riders could also face criminal charges.
The majority of offences are occurring in the early evening hours, in Harewood around University Village, and in Chase River near Southgate Shopping Centre. Other incidents have been reported in the Country Club and Departure Bay areas.
Based on observations by complainants and officers, the riders appear to be young adult men, ranging in age from 16 to their early 20s and operating bikes not licensed for roadways. Most of the riders are wearing bright multi-coloured jackets, full face shields and riding off-road high-performance dirt bikes.
“Investigators are narrowing the the suspect pool, but do need assistance from the public to move forward with the investigation,” O’Brien said. “Based on what has been reported and sometimes witnessed by our officers, it is only a manner of time before someone is seriously injured or killed.
Anyone with information about who is involved in any of the incidents is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345 and reference file No. 2024-28683.
