This morning at 6:30am I was riding my bike with three friends down 30-a heading west. There were absolutely no cars on the road and we were passing through WaterSound where they have the medians in the middle of the road. A mid-sized pick-up truck honked and then violently swerved around us passing us very closely.
My friend gestured for the driver to come back and talk with us. There was no reason for his aggression so early in the morning. The driver of the metallic orange pickup truck hit his breaks and pulled a black handgun out of his drivers side window and started waving it at us. He then sped away.
I immediately called 911 and we met with two very nice Walton County Police Officers and filed a complaint. The officers were very nice and took the situation very serious and said they have all officers in the area looking for the car.
If anyone sees a mid-sized metallic orange pickup truck with a male driver, please notify the police.
In all of my years riding I have been yelled at, honked at, spit at, had things thrown at me, been run off the road into a ditch, been intentionally hit with a car's mirror, had a Harley sneak up on me and rev his engine to scare me and then laugh at me, two weeks ago had a driver laugh and cheer when we had a cyclist crash...but I have NEVER EVER had a gun pulled on me for riding a bicycle on a Sunday morning.
I am from the west coast and stilll learning about Southern culture...I am still trying to figure out this whole aggression thing towards cyclists...but I am sure this was not a friendly southern gesture.
I could be wrong...maybe it was his way of cheering in awe as he witnessed a life changing athletic performance by some local cyclists. Or maybe it was his way of showing support for our cyclist in Bejing and his reaction at Sammy Sanchez from Spain winning Olympic Gold in the Men's Cycling Road Race yesterday over Americans Levi Leipheimer, George Hincape and Christian Vandevelde! Maybe he was saying, "I am with you brother and I solute you and your athletic acheivements on this beautiful Sunday morning...ride safe and I will lead the way!"
Replies
380
SoWal Expert
Link please!!!
Though I certainly don't approve that she was "outed" via her Sowal name in local press.
Though I certainly don't approve that she was "outed" via her Sowal name in local press.
SoWal Expert
Link please!!!
Though I certainly don't approve that she was "outed" via her Sowal name in local press.
She confirmed it herself, according to the article.
Meow
Link please!!!
Though I certainly don't approve that she was "outed" via her Sowal name in local press.
There must be a trail....isn't she running for a local office? Even someone as computer illiterate as I could figure it out. ;-)
got any pics?
This, I gotta see.
Newsflash!!
The Beach Breeze/Defuniak Herald has a full article in this week's edition- front page.
The article uses the initial SoWal.com post to tell the story of what happened, then quotes Floridagirl from her initial post, then identifies her by name.
Guess the article's writer, was as horrified as the rest of us over what happened AND Floridagirl's comments!
SWGB
There must be a trail....isn't she running for a local office? Even someone as computer illiterate as I could figure it out. ;-)
She is, mosquito commissioner, keep that in mind when voting folks. I believe she's the only female up for the position. She has also been selling her "artwork" on here for sometime.
Beach Fanatic
Actually, I've called Walton county natives "locals" for so long...
No, I don't ride a bike that doesn't have a motor. I used to, but physical limitations prohibit it. Walton county already spent money to put in a bike path, and since the dough isn't rolling in as it used to, I'm not sure more money could be used toward adding 3 or 4 inches to 30A, although that would alleviate the situation considerably. This issue seems to be a hot topic all over, here's an article: http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9823020
It looks like the remedy will be more regulation!1
Emergency room doctor arrested for allegedly cutting in front of bike riders, causing crash
Associated Press
Article Launched: 07/08/2008 09:35:18 PM PDT
LOS ANGELES - An emergency room doctor was arrested after he allegedly swerved in front of two bicyclists during an argument over rights to the road and caused them to crash into his car, police said.
Christopher Thompson, 58, was arrested Friday for investigation of assault with a deadly weapon - the car - and booked into jail, Officer Ana Aguirre, a police spokeswoman, said Tuesday.
Thompson allegedly argued with the bikers who were crossing his path on a narrow road and pulled in front of them, slamming on the brakes, she said.
The bicyclists were taken to a hospital for treatment of moderate injuries.
Thompson posted $30,000 bail and is due in court Aug. 1, Aguirre said.
The district attorney's office is deciding whether to file charges.
Thompson, who is an emergency room doctor, could not be immediately reached for comment Tuesday. Telephone calls placed to numbers listed for a Christopher Thompson in the neighborhood were not answered or rang busy.
Ron Peterson, one of the bikers, told KFI-AM he and another man were riding their bicycles when the driver sped past them and yelled something.
"It had to be road rage," Peterson alleged. "He barely missed me."
Peter Swarth, who said he was Thompson's attorney, said his client did not mean to hurt anyone.
"We deny there was any road rage incident," Swarth said. "It was a very unfortunate accident."
Swarth could not provide further details about the circumstances
---
FG--if you rode a bike for serious exercise, you would understand that the bike path is actually more dangerous than the road. I was hit by a car riding on a bike path because the driver pulled into the bike path without looking for bikers. If serious bikers use the bike path, they would never get any exercise as they would be stopping at every single driveway and sidestreet along 30A to ensure a car didn't pull out in front of them. If you ride on the road, cars don't pull out until they look both ways (they don't want a car to run into them, but they don't worry about a biker running into them coming down the bike path).
IF you rode a bike you would understand. Since you don't, you simply need to get over it, slow down and enjoy life a bit. Most people on 30A speed anyway and need to slow down. I can ride my bike at or near the speed limit along several areas of 30A yet cars still insist on passing me then I catch up to them soon at the next stop sign.
Beach Lover
Newsflash!!
The Beach Breeze/Defuniak Herald has a full article in this week's edition- front page.
The article uses the initial SoWal.com post to tell the story of what happened, then quotes Floridagirl from her initial post, then identifies her by name.
Guess the article's writer, was as horrified as the rest of us over what happened AND Floridagirl's comments!
I've read this thread from the beginning and have been amazed at some of Floridagirl's comments. Suddenly however it's all very clear. A little background for you all. I have lived in South Walton County my entire life (33 years), I grew up here and now am raising a family here and am employed at a local business. After a little online research I discovered that I was one of the renters she is constantly mentioning. I was a young, single mother working full time. She was never compassionate at all as she has claimed. My daughter who was very young would be playing outside and Floridagirl would come by and scream at us saying my daughter was making too much noise and disturbing others! I'm not sure how a 2 year old playing in the dirt could bother someone but clearly she did. When I saw floridagirl's name in The Walton Sun I was amazed! I hope that the rest of WalCo catches on to what The Beach Breeze has exposed thanks to her comments.
Beach Fanatic
Start a new thread. ;-)
Taking this thread to ever expanding territory, but oh so much funn.
Originally Posted by seagrovegirl
Okay..this might stir things up a bit, but in this day and age, don't you think it is almost like being illiterate not having a computer????
I believe Wendell Berry put pen, er... typewriter to paper on this very topic.
http://home.btconnect.com/tipiglen/berrynot.html
Beach Lover
You got it right mostly! Although, given the current state concerning cyclists and motor vehicles in the nation now, I would expect laws to follow.
I also wish for more compassion towards fellow humans who may be in a different culture, social status, etc. I do believe that no matter who you are, there is hope for a better tommorrow, people can change for the better. We are our brother's keeper.
what? huh? I have tried so very hard not to write anything about flgirl because I don't like watching people get torn down..... but holy poop? This post just makes no sense!! cyclist and laws....accompanied with hope and a better tomorrow..yadda yadda yadda. I think you are confused. I'm sorry that people are ganging up on you, I'm sure it sucks, but you need to step back there lil lady.
Beach Fanatic
I thought this was a timely and appropriate article to share. It's short with lots of pictures.
http://www.energybulletin.net/node/46298
Be sure to take note of item number 6.
http://www.energybulletin.net/node/46298
Be sure to take note of item number 6.
SoWal Expert
Since there's a well maintained bike path between me and most of the locations I would visit via bicycle, I don't think #6 is a big issue in Sowal.
Couple of the wooden "bridges" are getting a little rickety though.
Couple of the wooden "bridges" are getting a little rickety though.
SoWal Insider
She is, mosquito commissioner, keep that in mind when voting folks. I believe she's the only female up for the position. She has also been selling her "artwork" on here for sometime.
I was joking when I posted SoWal Beaches Forum - View Single Post - Driver Pulls Gun on Cyclists This Morning! Wow, my psychic abilities must be more powerful than I ever knew! :shock:
Beach Fanatic
Floridagirl is not a Mosquito Commissioner, however she will be on the ballot running against Jim Crawford, incumbant.
Beach Lover
Floridagirl must not think much of herself. She's only given $50 to her campaign. That's the only contribution, I might add. If she could only find that guy with the orange truck.
SWGB
Floridagirl is not a Mosquito Commissioner, however she will be on the ballot running against Jim Crawford, incumbant.
I'm sorry, I should have been more clear in my original post.
Moderator
Can somebody copy the article and post?
SoWal Insider
Can somebody copy the article and post?
It's not one of the articles that was posted on our web site this week. I'll see if I can wrangle a copy from our Editor Friday and post for all who can't get a hard copy.
got any pics?
:scratch:Hmmmmm..... I wonder if she is being endorsed by the NRA :scratch:
needs to get out more
You got it right mostly! Although, given the current state concerning cyclists and motor vehicles in the nation now, I would expect laws to follow.
The Law is already here: SoWal Beaches Forum - View Single Post - Driver Pulls Gun on Cyclists This Morning
btw we've gone over this before:
OVERTAKING AND PASSING A VEHICLE
[??316.083, 316.085, & 366.0875]
The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle
proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the
left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again
drive to the right side of the roadway until safely
clear of the overtaken vehicle. A driver overtaking a
bicycle must maintain a horizontal clearance of at
least 3 feet [?316.083]. Three feet is a minimum
"safe distance" for passing a cyclist under typical
urban conditions; when the passing vehicle is large,
towing a trailer, or traveling at much higher speed,
greater lateral clearance is needed.
__________________
I also wish for more compassion towards fellow humans who may be in a different culture, social status, etc. I do believe that no matter who you are, there is hope for a better tommorrow, people can change for the better. We are our brother's keeper.
If your friend in the orange truck had a little compassion(and some common sense) we wouldn't be having this conversation.
Edited
Beach Lover
After further research, it has all become crystal clear. Check out Florida Girls philosophy in post #35 after the link...
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=24867&page
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=24867&page
Beach Fanatic
Mosquito trucks are orange..................
Beach Fanatic
There is absolutely no reason ever, for someone to pull a gun on someone, unless that person is an officer doing so in the line of duty.
As to drivers and cyclists there is room for much improvement on both sides. I have experienced problems on 30-A with both and both need to have more patience and respect for the laws of the road. Cyclists definitely need to observe stop signs and not just blow thru them to keep from stopping and motorists need to slow down and be more observant of others around them.
As to the mud slinging that has ensued through most of this thread, when one throws mud and then you throw it back, "both" get dirty.
As to drivers and cyclists there is room for much improvement on both sides. I have experienced problems on 30-A with both and both need to have more patience and respect for the laws of the road. Cyclists definitely need to observe stop signs and not just blow thru them to keep from stopping and motorists need to slow down and be more observant of others around them.
As to the mud slinging that has ensued through most of this thread, when one throws mud and then you throw it back, "both" get dirty.
Beach Fanatic
There is absolutely no reason ever, for someone to pull a gun on someone, unless that person is an officer doing so in the line of duty.
As to drivers and cyclists there is room for much improvement on both sides. I have experienced problems on 30-A with both and both need to have more patience and respect for the laws of the road. Cyclists definitely need to observe stop signs and not just blow thru them to keep from stopping and motorists need to slow down and be more observant of others around them.
As to the mud slinging that has ensued through most of this thread, when one throws mud and then you throw it back, "both" get dirty.
Yes, Ma'am
Meow
Yes, Ma'am
Chin up, sg! IMO...sometimes when digging for the truth, it can get a little dirty.
SoWal Insider
Chin up, sg! IMO...sometimes when digging for the truth, it can get a little dirty.
the truth will set you free. But first, it will piss you off.-Gloria Steinem
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