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Bik
Bike Brunch
e Brunch
Phot o t ak en b y v olunt eer , R oger Desilet
Photo taken by volunteer, Roger Desilet
Naples Pathways Coalition
Celebrates 20 Years of Championing

Safer Streets for Walkers, Runners, and Cyclists

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

aples is celebrated for its pristine Advocacy
beaches, exquisite quality of life and On average, nine people die on Florida roads every day. Six of
Nabundance of outdoor activities, but these deaths are attributed to distracted driving. Drivers who text
it falls short when protecting cyclists and behind the wheel are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash
pedestrians. The streets have become perilous or near-miss event. States with hands-free cell phone use laws and
for people who bike, walk, and run. Distracted are seeing deaths, crashes, and insurance rates drop dramatically.
driving, speeding, and decreased awareness of NPC saw a critical need to take a lead role in advocating to
cyclists and pedestrians have resulted in numerous preventable bring these laws to Florida and partnered with several state and
crashes, fatalities, and injuries. Florida tops the charts for the national organizations to launch Hands-Free Florida.
most bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities, due to a lack of safe Michelle Avola-Brown, NPC Executive Director, is leading the
paths, inadequate laws protecting cyclists and generally poor charge by providing educational opportunities and meeting with
understanding of how best to safely share the roads. With Collier local, regional, and state organizations and leaders to advocate
County’s population continuing to explode, the problem locally is on behalf of the cause. The goal is to create safer roads (for
only growing, but there is hope and a plan. cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers) by putting stricter laws in place
The non-profit Naples Pathways Coalition (NPC) has that will reduce distracted driving, save lives, and hold drivers
been dedicated to transforming Collier County into a haven more responsible for fatal crashes caused by distracted driving.
for pedestrians and cyclists for the last two decades. Since its HandsFreeFlorida.org gathers signatures through an online
inception, NPC has been instrumental in shaping Naples’ pathway petition to help persuade lawmakers to support hands-free cell
landscape – from influencing funding allocations for bike lanes phone use legislation.
to participating in key greenway projects and raising awareness of Paradise Coast Trail
critical safety laws. Because of increasing danger on our roads, NPC recognized
Education the urgent need for a safe, multi-use pathway system in Collier
NPC’s educational outreach efforts aim to teach all road users County to provide greater safety for people who walk, bike, and
how best to share the roads, ensuring safer coexistence through run modeled after the beloved Gordon River Greenway. In 2018,
community-wide speaking opportunities, training events and NPC introduced the vision for the Paradise Coast Trail, a 100+
targeted outreach to vulnerable populations. mile biking, walking, and running trail that will be 10-12 foot
The number of bicyclists killed in traffic crashes has been wide, paved, separated from the road, and connect Naples to
steadily trending upwards since 2010. Not surprisingly, the Marco Island, Bonita Springs, Collier Seminole State Park, the
vulnerable commuter cyclist population is especially at risk. Paradise Coast Sports Complex, Ave Maria, Everglades City,
Because the City of Naples has a large commuter cyclist Immokalee and beyond. When complete it will redefine Collier
population, who often ride their bikes long distances to and from County’s quality of life, sparking healthier lifestyles, lifting
labor-intensive jobs in restaurants, construction and hotels, NPC property values, and ensuring safety for all who walk, run, or bike.
installs bike lights and provides helmets, safety vests and anti-theft To learn more about how to support NPC’s advocacy efforts,
bike locks for commuter cyclists through their Lights for education programs and the completion of the Paradise Coast
Bikes program. Trail or to volunteer, visit NaplesPathways.org or
contact Michelle@NaplesPathways.org

For more information, please visit www.NaplesPathways.org and www.HandsFreeFlorida.org
If you have any specific questions, email me at Michelle@NaplesPathways.org
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