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Nanaimo RCMP is fed up with street racers and motorcyclists riding dangerously, disturbing residents, and creating hazardous conditions across the city, including the Nanaimo North Town Centre parking lot.
By Jordan Davidson
street racing

‘Nothing to brag about:’ RCMP cracking down on dangerous Nanaimo road users

Jul 9, 2026 | 7:28 AM

NANAIMO — Creating dangerous driving conditions, annoying neighbours, and blocking emergency vehicles are a few of the reasons local Mounties are stepping up patrols for street racers and reckless bikers.

Vehicles using public roads as drag strips and motorbikes doing dangerous, high-speed stunts are causing serious concern for police, while residents have reached a breaking point dealing with excessive noise and vehicle-related issues.

Rsv. Cst. Gary O’Brien said they’ve noticed an increase in the “blatant disregard for the rules of the road” over the last several months, especially as the weather warmed up.

“Primarily, it’s younger adults and youth as well, ranging from 14 right up to the early 20s. It’s street racing with cars, and it’s so obvious, putting themselves at risk, and the public as well. The motorcycles, some of them are unlicensed, doing wheelies going down the road, riding two abreast, riding on the sidewalks, challenging us to chase them.”

He said on Tuesday, July 7, an ambulance was delayed responding to a call in Nanaimo by street racers.

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It’s an issue not just within city limits, with the Extension and Cinnabar areas dealing with street racers for years, with vehicles regularly racing along the Duke Point Hwy. towards the ferry terminal.

Bowen Rd. and St. George St. also see a high number of incidents, according to O’Brien, as well as the parking lots behind the Nanaimo North Town Centre, with neighbours lodging complaints with local officials for several years.

O’Brien said there are some elements of showing off which accompany these antics, with the stunts often recorded on video and posted to social media.

“There’s nothing to brag about it. There’s a time and place for everything, but not on a public highway. We’ve gone to too many accidents, we’ve gone to too many fatals where young drivers have died because of acting with bravado and thinking they have full control over their bike…they don’t have control over how other people will react.”

O’Brien said they’ll be increasing their enforcement efforts city wide, even if it means setting up roadblocks in hotspots.

He said they’re also hoping by spreading the word, it will reach the parents or guardians of these young people who are pulling these dangerous stunts.

“We want to prevent this behaviour. There’s a lot of people who know who these kids are. They live in their streets, they see them gathering, and they see them driving. If they’re doing something that concerns you, please call us. We need to get ahead of this before somebody is seriously injured.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.

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by Jordan Davidson

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