Bonita Springs cyclist captures road rage in Naples

A Bonita Springs bike commuter reported a road rage incident this morning to the Collier sheriff's office after a driver stopped in traffic, emerged from his truck and threatened and cursed at the cyclist.

Shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday, Ryan Scofield, 36, was riding on Trade Center Way to his job as a warehouse manager in Naples when a white pick-up truck honked, swerved around him and then braked in front of his bike. We can't quote most of what the man said because his statements were vulgar.

A Collier sheriff's office spokeswoman said her agency was evaluating the video.

Scofield recorded the road rage on a GoPro camera he wears for his protection. Later this month, largely because of incidents like this, Collier County is set to take a final step to approve an anti-harassment law that would protect cyclists and pedestrians. It's the first of its kind in the state.

"You need to stay on the side of the f------ road," the man shouted, as moving toward Scofield. "Don't be riding down the middle of the goddamn road!"

He then threatened to knock him out.

"You are being recorded on video," Scofield told him calmly.

Scofield uses the full lane while riding, which is allowed by law in certain instances, because there are no bike lanes in the area where he commutes and he feels safer and more visible in the road than riding to the side, but it has made him a target for irked drivers.

This is the first time he has been threatened so aggressively. In the past, he's been stopped by deputies trying to urge him to the side and he has had to argue that he is lawfully riding. Deputies were concerned about his safety and the safety of others, said Michelle Batten, a Collier sheriff's office spokeswoman.

Florida law allows cyclists to use the full lane to avoid potential conflicts with cars, including when the road is too narrow for a bike and vehicle to travel safely side-by-side within the lane. It does direct riders to the edge of the roadway if there is no bike lane and there is sufficient lane width and no safety concerns.

"He was definitely very intimidating and very confrontational," said Scofield, who has commuted to work by bike since selling his car about two years ago. "I wasn't quite sure if he would try to hit me or not."

Scofield arrived at work rattled but sent the video to authorities because he wants to see people treat cyclists with more respect.

"Education is the important part," he said. "They need to understand that we're lawfully riding in the road."

Connect with this reporter: @Janinezeitlin (Twitter)

Share and learn about ideas to make the roads safer on The News-Press Facebook page, Share the Road Florida.