Lead biker of Hell’s Angels’ annual poker run issued ticket for holding up traffic

The Hells Angels’ annual poker run was interrupted in Kelowna Saturday after the lead biker got pulled over for holding up traffic.

Kelowna RCMP officers were patrolling the Glenmore area to ensure public safety during the 11th annual Hells Angels Motorcycle Poker Run, said Const. Lesley Smith.

About 90 participants were expected to travel through Kelowna via Glenmore Road, ending in Vernon with a few planned stops along the way.

Mounties issued a number of violation tickets to riders involved in the event, including the lead biker, who allegedly failed to obey a traffic light, holding up five blocks of traffic along Glenmore Road.

“The driver of the lead bike was pulled over and issued a violation ticket after refusing to advance at an unobstructed green light,” said Smith. “The driver was waiting for the entire group to line up, and despite a clear direction from the Kelowna RCMP member on scene to drive forward, the lead driver remained stationary at the green light.”

The driver was issued a ticket for failing to obey a traffic control device.

This resulted in the entire ride coming to a halt, as the participants did not know the route to Vernon and were waiting for the lead, said Smith.

Once the ticket was issued, the poker run continued and no other incidents were reported.