After a routine group ride in Florida, one cyclist’s cameras captured a deeply unsettling incident that highlights the growing risks riders face on the road. Riding in an eight-person pace line, the group was targeted by passengers in a passing vehicle who filmed, shouted, and fired what appeared to be a gun in their direction. While no one was physically injured, the experience left the group shaken and underscored the importance of visibility, documentation, and rider safety. In this interview, she shares what happened, why she records every ride, and her advice for cyclists navigating increasingly dangerous roads.
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Every UpRider has a story. Here is Kimberly’s.
What happened prior to this incident and why do you record your ride?
On March 28, 2026, we were heading home after our morning ride. We had an 8-cyclist pace line traveling northbound on State Road 19, leaving Howey-In-The-Hills, Florida. We were traveling at a speed of 20+ mph and staying within the line of the road shoulder (there is not a designated bike lane).
A newer Ford Ranger FX4, license tag FL 34E IBD, approached us. The front passenger had his arm out of the window with his phone, apparently filming the incident. The male passenger shouted and reached out of the right rear window with an orange gun (we didn’t know if it was real). Then he shot the gun at us, we heard two pops and then later a third. The two visible passengers were laughing and sped away.
I can’t explain how this affected all of us. We are all experienced cyclists. We were grateful that no one went down and there were no physical injuries. My cameras captured the before and after. We were able to clearly see the shooter’s face and the license plate.
I have the latest models from Cycliq, Fly12 Sport and Fly6 Pro, plus I was wearing Meta Oakley glasses. I started filming rides for several reasons. I am a female and often ride to my group solo. I like the security of not only the camera, but the light front and back. Secondly, riding incidents have increased in our area. If I capture incidents, which I have many recorded, I post for education. I encourage all my fellow riders to have cameras.
My one wish is that we would have stopped right away and notified the authorities. It was not safe to stop, no one was hurt (just really rattled, and that settled in more so after getting home safely), so we continued to our ride finish. When I got home and downloaded the recording, I called the Lake County Sheriff and was scolded that I didn’t call immediately. An officer was supposedly dispatched, but no officer ever arrived at my home. We called the Howey Police Department, and all of us made statements and expressed the desire to prosecute. We are now waiting for the process to run its course.
When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?
I feel especially vulnerable when riding alone, being a female. I have had many incidences that I brush off as stupidity, luckily none have resulted in injury. I do feel safer in a group, and I feel secure knowing that I have cameras with lights, front and back, to keep me visible.
What do you think are the most important things that can be done to improve safety for cyclists on the road?
We would love to have more actual bicycle lanes. Currently, most of our riding is on a very thin shoulder of the road, often full of debris. Also, educating motorists about the safety of giving us a minimum of three feet to safely pass.
If I were to post all the close passes, I would be posting every ride – multiple incidents.
As soon as an incident happens, safely stop and call the authorities.
Did you report your incident? What was the reporting process?
I had to physically go to the Howey Police Department to make my statement. I emailed my videos and screenshots of the license tag and the shooter’s face with the gun. All 8 cyclists have made a statement.
Three of the cyclists were from out of town and were requested to send a notarised statement. It has been three days now, and we have heard nothing. I sent an email to the Howey Officer on Monday, March 30, 2026 – I have not received a response.
What is your advice for other cyclists?
Cameras are documentation for our safety, get them! Follow the rules of the road; stop at stop signs and traffic lights. We have to earn the respect of motorists by following the same rules. Safety in numbers.
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