Marching Toward a Healthier Naples One Step, One Pedal Stroke at a Time

by Michelle Avola-Brown, Executive Director,
Naples Pathways Coalition

A time for cozying up to a fire and snuggling under blankets in much of the country, in Florida, February is a season of renewal and energy. As more winter visitors arrive and residents spend more time outdoors enjoying our heavenly weather, Heart Health Month offers a timely reminder that good health isn’t built in a gym alone. It’s built into the rhythms of daily life. In Naples, those rhythms increasingly include neighborhood walks, scenic bike rides, and choosing movement as a natural part of how we live.

A healthier Naples is not just about individual choices; it’s about the kind of community we’re building together. One where walking to dinner feels inviting, biking to the park feels safe, and people of all ages can move confidently through their neighborhoods. That future doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because people invest in it, one step, one pedal stroke, and one act of generosity at a time.

The benefits of walking and biking are well documented. Regular movement reduces the risk of heart disease, lowers stress, improves mental health, and supports longevity. But the impact goes far beyond physical health. Communities designed for walking and biking are more social and resilient. Streets become places to connect with neighbors, support local businesses, and enjoy the outdoors. They are not just conduits for traffic.

Naples is uniquely positioned to lead this movement-forward future. Our climate, natural beauty, and active culture make walking and biking a natural fit. Yet, as our region grows, ensuring these activities remain safe, comfortable, and accessible requires thoughtful planning, sustained advocacy, and community support.

That commitment is championed locally by Naples Pathways Coalition, a nonprofit that for more than 20 years has worked to make walking and biking safer throughout Collier County. Naples Pathways brings together residents, planners, public agencies, health organizations, law enforcement, and local leaders around a shared goal: creating streets and pathways that protect lives and support healthy movement for everyone.

Looking ahead, Naples Pathways is focused on initiatives that will shape the community for decades. Central to that work is advancing a connected network of off-road, multi-use pathways, including the Paradise Coast Trail. This visionary system is designed to link neighborhoods, schools, parks, and key destinations, creating safe places to walk, run, and bike separated from traffic. These connections don’t just support recreation; they enable daily movement, provide an alternate transportation network to reduce congestion, and enhance quality of life across the region.

Equally important are partnerships that address safety from every angle. Naples Pathways continues to expand education and advocacy efforts around distracted driving, pedestrian and cyclist safety, and shared responsibility on the road. By pairing infrastructure improvements with public awareness and behavior change, the organization ensures that progress on paper translates into real-world safety.

None of this work happens without community investment. Donor support fuels the planning, education, advocacy, and collaboration that make safer streets possible. Every contribution – large or small – helps move projects forward, strengthens partnerships, and amplifies a collective voice for safer, healthier transportation choices.

That generosity and momentum are on full display at the 20th Annual Bike Brunch & Walk on March 1 at Cambier Park. More than a beloved Naples tradition, the Bike Brunch & Walk is a celebration of impact and a kickoff for the active season ahead. Walkers, cyclists, families, and friends come together for a morning of movement, music, great food, and community spirit, while supporting the mission to make Naples safer and more connected.

For longtime supporters, the event is a chance to see the results of their investment and celebrate how far the community has come. For first-time participants, it’s an easy and joyful way to get involved. And for everyone, it’s a reminder that meaningful change can be both purposeful and fun. Kids under 12 ride or walk free with a paid adult. For more information and to register, visit https://bit.ly/BIKEBRUNCH.

As Naples looks toward the future, the path forward is clear. A healthier community isn’t created overnight, and it isn’t built by infrastructure alone. It’s built by people through everyday choices to walk more, bike more, slow down, look out for one another, and invest in shared spaces.

This February, as we focus on heart health and fresh starts, there’s no better time to embrace that vision. When you support Naples Pathways by donating, advocating, or participating or volunteering in our events, you’re helping march Naples toward a healthier, more connected future, one step and one pedal stroke at a time.

Quick Ways to Move More Starting Today
• Walk or bike for short trips when possible
• Invite a friend for an evening walk to boost accountability and connection
• Choose routes with pathways or lower-stress streets
• Stay alert and distraction-free whether walking, biking, or driving

Learn more and become part of the movement at https://naplespathways.org.

We invite you to get involved in our advocacy work by joining Naples Pathways Coalition or donating to support our mission to create a safe, walkable and bikeable Collier County.

Visit https://naplespathways.org/get-involved

For more information:

Please visit www.NaplesPathways.org and www.HandsFreeFlorida.org
If you have any specific questions, email me at Michelle@NaplesPathways.org