Hundreds of motorcyclists converged in freeway lanes in Riverside late Sunday morning, Aug. 21, to perform stunts and slow traffic.

Calls came to the California Highway Patrol just after 11:15 a.m. from drivers on the southbound 215 near Iowa Avenue who said the road was being blocked by hundreds of motorcyclists, said CHP Sgt. Nathan Baer.

Officers responded and began to break up the blockade of an estimated 300 to 400 riders. When they arrived, they saw motorcyclists popping wheelies and behaving recklessly, Baer said.

Once the riders saw CHP officers, Baer said they began flipping officers off and cussing at them.

The blockade broke up when officers got there, Baer said.

UPDATE: Motorcyclist defends himself in 215/60 incident; CHP calls actions reckless

One motorcyclist led officers on a short pursuit, while most of the others left the 215 – only for over 100 of them to get onto the westbound 60 and do it again.

Once again, CHP officers got onto the freeway and dispersed the crowd.

“They’re really just inconsiderate people,” Baer said. “People have to get places, ambulances are trying to get places … it’s very juvenile.”

No arrests were made, Baer said, but a handful of riders were cited. One motorcycle was impounded because its rider did not have a motorcycle license.

About four squad cars responded with one supervisor, he said. The encounter lasted about 15 minutes.

Baer said motorcyclists converge on Inland freeways to block lanes more than officers would like, but it’s more common in the Bay Area and big cities.

He added that it’s a time-wasting practice that’s dangerous for everyone involved.

“It shows a lack of respect for themselves, fellow mankind and law enforcement,” Baer said.

A reader submitted the following video via Twitter, saying the officers were driving recklessly:

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