British ColumbiaPolice say more than 700 Hells Angels bikers are expected to ride from Coquitlam to Surrey, B.C., on Thursday as members gather in the area for a founding member’s celebration of life. Procession to begin at 11:30 a.m. in Coquitlam and make its way to a banquet hall in Surrey CBC News · Posted: Jun 12, 2025 1:27 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoThe Surrey Police Service says police will be monitoring major intersections in the city to ensure safety during a ‘significant outlaw motorcycle gang presence.’ A large gathering of Hells Angels is expected in the area from Thursday to Sunday. (Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C.)Police say more than 700 Hells Angels bikers are expected to ride from Coquitlam to Surrey, B.C., on Thursday as members gather in the area for a founding member’s celebration of life. The Surrey Police Service is alerting the public that there will be a “significant outlaw motorcycle gang presence” around the city from Thursday to Sunday.The gathering is to pay respect to Rick Ciarniello, one of the original Hells Angels in B.C., Surrey RCMP Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton told CBC News.Ciarniello died at age 80 in New Westminster on March 13, according to an obituary published in the Vancouver Sun. Houghton said this week’s event could be one of the largest gatherings of outlaw motorcycle gang members the province has ever seen.Police expect the procession to begin at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in Coquitlam and end at a banquet hall in the 12300 block of Patullo Place in Surrey.Delays are anticipated in parts of Surrey between 11:30 a.m. and noon on Thursday for traffic headed northbound from Highway 1 on Highway 15, Highway 17 to Bridgeview Drive, Bridgeview Drive to King George Boulevard, and King George Boulevard to 120 Street.Bikers take part in a memorial gathering for Hells Angels member Donny Petersen, in Toronto on July 21, 2022. This weekend, members are in the Surrey area for the memorial of Rick Ciarniello. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)Police will monitor many of the major intersections in the area “to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians,” Surrey police said in a news release.They will also staff additional officers throughout the weekend, particularly at bars and restaurants in Surrey, “to prevent any gang-related incidents.”Houghton said they expect the Hells Angels and their supporters to attend various functions over the weekend to remember Ciarniello.He noted Hells Angels members work “somewhat co-operatively” with police.”Some people might be surprised at that, but they recognize the impact that this is going to have on traffic,” Houghton said, noting it can be overwhelming for drivers to see such a significant number of bikers on the road around them.Houghton said part of motorcycle gang culture is to wear gang paraphernalia, called “colours,” including leather vests with emblems and names.”They have a certain aura and persona about them, which can be very off-putting to people.”He said their presence can create some public anxiety.”If you see them out there, just have some awareness,” Houghton said.
Procession of over 700 Hells Angels bikers expected to snarl Surrey traffic as members gather for memorial
