I have been riding bicycles around Kootenai County for nearly a quarter-century. All my friends, our wives and now the second generation of our families also enjoy the fabulous riding here, but an incident happened on today’s ride that is becoming dangerously common.

My young son was on one of his first rides with me, and two of my buddies on Sunday, March 19. One of these buddies is an officer in the U.S. military sworn to protect; the other helps shape the quality of the health care you get at the region’s largest medical center.

Around 3 p.m. as we rode west on Chilco Road toward Ramsey, my buddy and I were lagging behind the other two on the deserted road when we heard a car horn honking about a half mile back as we rode along talking. Responding, we formed up single file on the shoulder and continued talking while the car approached. Another horn honk — this time deliberately held down longer, though we were both on the shoulder a foot outside the white fog line. Five seconds later a burgundy Ford F150 pickup blasted by deliberately swerving ONTO the white fog line, and the mirror whizzed by our heads.

We both yelled in anger, and so did one of the other two riders riding back to check on us, who saw the entire thing. The pickup then turned north on Ramsey Road, and the driver figured he had gotten away with his dangerous move. Unfortunately for him, the rail crossing arms came down and he had to stop. I rode up behind his truck and took photographs of his vanity plate and the truck, then moved to the side window to speak with him. He rolled the window down a couple inches and started the same angry diatribe I have heard for more than a quarter-century by miscreants just like him. I used the same foul language in return, which I’m not proud of.

His Montana vanity plate says “EZSPEAK” which was ironic considering he did not have much helpful to say in explaining his use of a 6,000-pound vehicle to swerve at a couple guys on 25-pound bicycles — willingly risking our lives to send a message. I see also from my photograph that he and his wife are members of the KVRC Barrel Racing organization and that he bought his burgundy F150 truck from Timberline Ford in Libby, Mont. Nice truck, I like Fords.

The driver’s wife similarly told my friend that we shouldn’t be on the road, to which he explained that the law in Idaho requires a vehicle passing bicyclists to provide 3 feet of space for safety, and that he had witnessed them deliberately swerve close to us on an otherwise empty road.

This is just the latest in a line of such “messages” I have witnessed, and I’d like to explain a few things for all the readers out there who think its OK, or that riders “deserve” this. The people riding bikes around North Idaho are your neighbors — fathers keeping their fitness up for quality family time. Mothers who are loved dearly. The guy at the hospital working to save your loved one’s life. Police officers. Beloved sons and daughters of readers of this newspaper. Citizens who have shaped Kootenai County, teachers, and people from all the quality businesses around North Idaho.

Where else in your life do you use imminent threat of bodily harm to make a point? If the waitress at the diner overcharges you for a cup of coffee, do you instantly rise from your chair and raise a threatening fist? How do you justify intentionally aiming your vehicle at another human being on a bicycle?

The problem of cyclists being deliberately targeted by a small number of incompetent drivers in this county long ago reached the level where it needs to be addressed. In this day of GoPro videos, cellphone videos and cameras, it is time to record these incidents and bring criminal charges against a driver willing to put other lives at risk. I showed my photos to a Kootenai County deputy within the hour.

As a parallel example, consider if a boater upset at a swimmer in “his bay” deliberately altered course and closely drove by the swimmer with propellers churning as a way to express that point. I think we can all agree that reveals judgement so heinously poor the boat driver should face charges and possibly never operate a boat again.

It is spring here in North Idaho and our children and loved ones will be out on the roads enjoying the beautiful scenery we all love and cherish. I would ask that folks who are driving around please use caution and consideration this season. It is well-established law that bicyclists are a part of the road along with motorcycles and automobiles, and this year will be no exception. Please be aware of these less-visible users with nice weather approaching, and thanks for your time and due care.

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Doug Miller is a Hayden resident.