A 19-year-old man has been arrested following an investigation into alleged dangerous motorbike riding across Christchurch and surrounding areas.

Police allege the rider repeatedly travelled at excessive speeds, performed wheelies and carried out dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.

On one occasion, the motorbike was allegedly ridden at more than three times the posted speed limit on Christchurch’s Southern Motorway.

Sergeant Ben Rutherford said detailed enquiries enabled police to identify the motorbike and its rider.

“Enquiries also uncovered that the bike was using modified registration plates, which further complicated our investigation,” Rutherford said.

Police executed a search warrant at an Ashburton address on Thursday, where a 1000cc motorbike was impounded and the rider was arrested.

The man has been charged with dangerous driving over an incident in which he allegedly performed a wheelie while travelling more than 50km/h above the posted speed limit on Tunnel Road towards the Lyttelton Tunnel.

“This type of behaviour puts not only the rider at risk, but also other road users,” Rutherford said.

“Driving at excessive speeds and performing dangerous manoeuvres on public roads is unacceptable, and police will take action when offenders are identified.”

The man is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court on September 3.