A 23-year-old motorcycle rider was pulled over in Parksville last month, after allegedly speeding at nearly 200 kilometres per hour through the city. (BC Highway Patrol)

By Alex Rawnsley

stunting

‘A metal missile going down the road:’ Parksville motorcyclist faces dangerous driving charge

Jul 7, 2025 | 8:58 AM

PARKSVILLE — A motorcyclist is facing a criminal charge after being caught going more than three times the speed limit through the city.

B.C. Highway Patrol officers quickly noticed a motorcycle speeding through downtown and south Parksville on June 11, at around 9:30 p.m., eventually catching up to the rider along Hwy. 19A near Franklin’s Gull Rd.

Cpl. Michael McLaughlin told NanaimoNewsNOW they caught him doing 193 kilometres per hour in a 60 kilometre per hour zone, as well as travelling over 130 kilometres per hour while doing wheelies in a 50-zone.

“This rider was weaving, was doing something we describe as stunting, so dangerous behaviour. People think they’re having fun, but they’re putting themselves and other drivers at risk, and that’s definitely going to attract the attention of your local B.C. Highway Patrol.”

The motorcycle was impounded for a minimum of seven days, and the rider is potentially facing more serious consequences.

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McLaughlin said the 23-year-old faces a single Criminal Code charge of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

“There was a constellation of behaviour here that led our Highway Patrol officer to believe this is not something that can be dealt with an ordinary ticket. This driver was issued a summons so that they can go explain their behaviour to a Provincial Court judge.”

The rider’s first appearance in scheduled for Sept. 9.

McLaughlin added the behaviour allegedly displayed by the rider is dangerous not only to themselves, but everyone around them.

“When you’re talking about a top speed of nearly 200 kilometres per hour, that is a metal missile going down the road and it’s also going to hurt anybody in a car, if you hit that car, and certainly any sort of pedestrians, bicyclists or other vulnerable road users could really be harmed by this sort of behaviour.”

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by Alex Rawnsley

‘A metal missile going down the road:’ Parksville motorcyclist faces dangerous driving charge

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