Page 60 - May-June-July_Life_In_Naples_Magazine

An end of season thank you

to Courteous Road Users,

and a few reminders for the rest

by Beth Brainard
Executive Director of NPC
A s another season draws to and end, I would like to pay special Find an easy-to-read synopsis of the laws here

tribute to the people who used our roadways without high
www.naplespathways.org/helpful-links.
drama.
• When you are following a bicycle on the road, treat
Thank you to all the motorists, bicyclists, walkers, and joggers it as just another slow moving vehicle, like a landscaper’s
who obey the laws; and when they don’t know the laws use trailer, and comport yourself accordingly. In other
common sense; and when all else fails have enough empathy for words, contain the road rage, don’t honk your horn, and
their fellow human beings to adjust their behavior and accept remember the law requires you to allow at least three feet
that people use the roads differently. You are to be commended between your car mirror and the bike when you pass it.
for contributing to the safety and well being of the residents of • As an FYI, bicyclists also pay road taxes.
Greater Naples and for doing your part to make Florida’s roadways
safer. I hope you have a great summer and come back next year. TO WALKERS AND JOGGERS:
To the minority of roadway users who do not possess these
• There are laws on the books that pertain
traits, I offer a few reminders:
to walking and jogging. An easy-to-read
TO BICYCLISTS: synopsis can be found at
www.naplespathways.org/helpful-links.
• You are obligated to obey Florida traffic laws • Getting along on the sidewalk requires
regardless of whether you ride on the street, on use of common sense and common courtesy
a multi-use pathway, or on a sidewalk. If you are as well as knowledge of the law. Please move over enough
not aware of the laws, please go here for an easy- to allow oncoming pedestrians, baby carriages, and yes,
to-understand synopsis bicycles, to pass you.
www.naplespathways.org/helpful-links. • When you wear earbuds and listen to music,
• Being on holiday does not give you the right to ride like you your spirit may be elevated but your feet are still on
are in La-La Land. Motorists and pedestrians cannot read your the ground. If you aren’t paying attention to your
mind so when you haphazardly zig and zag out of traffic, stop surroundings, you can’t be indignant when a bicyclist
or change lanes without warning, or ride against traffic you are who has legitimately signaled you passes or when a car
endangering everyone on the roadway. honks to get your attention instead of running into you.
• Arrogance, crude language and gestures, and blatant disregard “Distracted pedestrians” are a growing statistic in traffic
of the laws are NOT the hallmarks of responsible peloton riders. crashes and fatalities.
Riding in a peloton does not make you immune to the laws or
common courtesies. It also doesn’t make you invisible – we see you
and we’d prefer that you straighten up.
Beth Brainard is the Executive Director of Naples
TO MOTORISTS: Pathways Coalition (NPC), a non-profit organization
• You do not own the road – pure and that works to create safe, bikeable, walkable communities in
simple. Collier County. For more information or to join, visit the
• You, too, are obligated to obey traffic NPC web site at www.naplespathways.org or contact Beth
laws, including those that pertain to how you directly at bethbrainard@naplespathways.org.
operate your vehicle in the presence of bicyclists and pedestrians.

60 Life in Naples | May • June • July 2017