An 18-year-old Chilliwack man is facing multiple charges after he was nabbed by the RCMP’s highway patrol doing 209 km/h on a motorcycle on the Coquihalla Highway near Merritt.

An officer had a speed trap set up on Highway 5 at the Juliet Bridge near Merritt, May 12, when they spotted a motorcycle heading northbound at a high rate of speed, 199 km/h in a 100 km/h zone, according to an RCMP media release.

The bike matched the description of one that failed to stop for police a couple days earlier, and again, didn’t stop for the highway patrol members.

Rather that chase the motorcycle at dangerous high speeds, the officer radioed ahead where another officer clocked the bike doing 209 km/h just before exiting the Coquihalla into Merritt.

The rider wiped out while trying to make a U-turn at an intersection on Voght Street and was caught by police.

It turned out the 18-year-old from Chilliwack had a novice motorcycle licence and was also carrying a fake driver’s licence.

His bike was impounded and he is facing several charges. He was released from custody with a court date next month.

“Motorcycle safety can’t be over-stated. You aren’t inside the metal frame of a larger vehicle that could protect you in the event of a collision,” RCMP Cpl. J.R. Michaud with the highway patrol said in the release.

“Riding a motorcycle in this manner shows a complete disregard for the safety of the public.”


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