Cyclists in the county have long complained about the failure of motorists to share the road, and ignorance of the law is rampant. After posting his comment on the SoWal Website, the following response was posted, by someone using the handle FLORIDAGIRL.
?I suspect he thought you were shooting him a bird. Not a friendly move. This is an unincorporated area; people can carry weapons if they want. Secondly, the county went to a lot of trouble building a "BIKE PATH" for the tourists that like to ride bikes. Most native Walton countians don't ride bikes, too many miles just to get anywhere. Most vehicles that drive on highways have to be street legal, ie, lights and the ability to drive the speed limit. Highway 30A is a narrow road without any shoulder, and riding a bicycle in the middle of the highway is dangerous, inconsiderate, and very irritating. When I see a cyclist in the middle of the road, I think, why did the county put in a bike path? What, do they think they own the road? They have to [sic] much leisure time on there [sic] hands! And when they don't move out of the way, they have just made a statement that they don't care about anyone else on the highway, or where the vehicles have to go. They are on vacation, and to heck with the rest of the world!?
Citizens in south Walton County identified the writer of the above post as Adrienne Walline Campbell, a fact she confirmed Aug. 19 at a meeting of the South Walton Mosquito Control District. Campbell is a candidate for the board seat currently held by Jim Crawford.
