Naples Pathways Coalition

08/31/2026

🎉 We know we’re a little late to the celebration—but this one is especially important to us!

Bonita Springs voters said YES to BERT, helping secure the future of the Bonita Estero Rail Trail—and moving Southwest Florida another big step closer to a truly connected regional trail network.

Why does this matter to NPC? BERT is planned to connect directly to the Paradise Coast Trail, extending the trail north from Collier County through Bonita Springs and Estero and eventually connecting into the larger Florida Gulf Coast Trail.

This isn’t just a win for Bonita Springs. It’s a win for the future of connected trails throughout Southwest Florida. 🚲🌴

Congratulations to Friends of BERT and everyone who worked to make this happen!

08/28/2026

🚲 Time for another Bike Shop Spotlight!

This week we're featuring Pedego Electric Bikes Naples, Southwest Florida's go-to destination for electric bikes. Whether you're interested in buying, renting, or taking a free test ride, their knowledgeable team is passionate about helping riders discover just how fun and accessible e-bikes can be. They also offer accessories and expert service to keep you rolling.

📍 9853 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 110, Naples, FL 34108

If you've been curious about e-bikes, this is the perfect place to ask questions, take a test ride, and experience the difference for yourself.

08/26/2026

🚲 Save the Date for our BIG Bicycle Fundraiser Sale!

Looking for a new-to-you bike at a great price? Join Naples Pathways Coalition on Saturday, September 26 from 9 AM–12 PM for a huge sale of refurbished bikes—all in excellent condition and priced to move!

We’ll have adult and children’s bikes, tandems, recumbents, and trikes, plus free helmets and bike lights with purchase while supplies last.

📍 St. Agnes Church 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Naples

Come early for the best selection—everything must go! Best of all, every purchase supports the work of Naples Pathways Coalition. 💙🚴

08/25/2026

⚠️ E-bikes are changing the way we get around—but with more speed comes more responsibility.

An August 20 article in the Naples Daily News, “E-bike dangers: Crashes bring devastating injuries, death. What to know,” takes a closer look at the serious injuries local hospitals are seeing as e-bike use grows and faster electric models become more common. Recent research is finding similar trends, including more severe injuries among e-bike riders compared with traditional cyclists.

E-bikes can help get us further and faster, but they are not toys. Only experienced, mature cyclists who know and follow the rules of the road and wear properly fitted helmets should consider riding these devices in the roadway or a bike lane. Their speed and weight are not ideal for sidewalks.

Whether you ride an e-bike, bicycle, drive or walk, we all have a role in keeping our roads and pathways safe. Please take a few minutes to read and share this important article.

08/24/2026

It’s great to see so many groups out enjoying the new VBRE! Rumor has it, our friends Naples Velo are even incorporating it into their Sunday route!

6ft of bike lanes, 10ft of multi-use path, less traffic = Pure Bliss!

08/21/2026

PSA!

NPC has been advocating for the active community regarding the Vanderbilt Beach Road construction project that began 2 weeks ago. We’ve been advised that the bike lanes have been removed and are not planned for replacement until Phase 3, scheduled for some time in 2028.

We have reached out to Collier County Transportation, the Collier Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Commissioner Chris Hall, requesting safer accommodations for vulnerable road users, but have been disappointed by their lack of assistance. We are working with the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee to send a letter to the County Attorney, the contractor, and the full Board of County Commissioners to address the dangerous situation where:

-bike lanes disappear with no warning in several segments that force cyclists into the roadway and/or against a curb
-there is no signage reminding drivers to slow down and watch for cyclists while driving in the narrowed, shifted travel lanes
-the debris cluttering the sidewalks and right-of-way makes some sections impassable
-the lack of a detour for cyclists to use during this lengthy project

For the time being, if at all possible, please avoid the construction area on group and recreational rides. We know many bike commuters who work along this corridor must ride in this dangerous area. If you are one of these vulnerable commuters, please be extremely cautious and hypervigilant. If you must drive in the area, please use the utmost caution and do what you can to protect cyclists.

As always, be visible when riding or walking. Wear bright or reflective clothing and use front and rear lights, even during the day. Never use earbuds when riding and always wear a properly fitted helmet.

We will provide further updates as soon as they are available. If you see concerning situations, please email [email protected].

08/20/2026

Registration for the 22nd Annual Iron Joe Turkey Ride & Walk is open and you have one more day to cash in on the extra early bird pricing. This year it's the Sunday BEFORE Thanksgiving, November 22. Same mission. Same energy. New weekend. 🦃

Prices increase at midnight tomorrow. Do it now!

Register here: https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Naples/IronJoeTurkeyRide

08/20/2026

We hate sharing news like this. The words below are from a friend but this is why we fight tirelessly to make the roads safer for everyone.

…..

There is no punitive action that could ever equal this unimaginable loss.

I just read someone else’s post grieving this tragedy, and they made a point I can’t stop thinking about: we regularly see drivers stop patiently while a gaggle of geese crosses the road. We accept the inconvenience. We wait. We understand that their lives are worth slowing down for.

And yet, put a person on a bicycle in front of those same drivers and something changes. Patience becomes anger. Inconvenience becomes entitlement. People intimidate, threaten, pass dangerously close, or use a several-thousand-pound vehicle to make a point.

I’ve had motorists deliberately pull alongside me and push me closer and closer to the edge of the pavement while telling me, “I should hit you to get you off the road.”

One of my best friends was hit last year on an open country road by the driver of a massive SUV who claimed to have “not seen her.”

This isn’t abstract to us. We know what it feels like to have our lives treated as less important than someone else’s momentary inconvenience.

If we cannot change the way people think about cyclists—if we cannot restore some basic sense of responsibility and humanism on our roads—then when will the consequences finally reflect the magnitude of the harm?

I’m asking because I live with this fear.

For myself. For my husband. My mom. My teammates. My coach. My friends. Commuters. And children.

We are human beings.

Our lives are worth slowing down for.

Eleven young cyclists went out for a team ride this morning. Two will never make it home. Seven are in the hospital.

Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers, students and members of the Milligan University cycling team, were killed after a driver struck a group of eleven teammates riding together in Carter County, Tennessee. Nine cyclists were struck by the vehicle. NINE.

This tragedy hits painfully close to home, as Magnus knew riders on the Milligan cycling team, and his family is in touch with the parents of those students. They are part of the same close-knit cycling community that has now been shattered by another devastating loss.

Our hearts are with Haylan and Brayden’s families, their injured teammates and the entire Milligan community.

How many more lives have to be lost before we stop treating this as inevitable?

08/19/2026

Join us for our Happy Fall Y'all Happy Hour on Thursday, October 8, at 5:30 p.m. at the Alden Woods Clubhouse in Lely!

Reconnect with fellow members and friends while enjoying beer, wine, soft drinks, and delicious appetizers in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Don't miss your chance to win our 50/50 raffle, catch up on what NPC has been working on, and learn about exciting projects and events ahead.

Whether you're a longtime member or new to Naples Pathways Coalition, we'd love to see you there. Bring a friend who may not know all the cool things NPC is doing for our community, and help us celebrate another great season of making Collier County safer, more bikeable, and more walkable!

Get your tickets here: https://naplespathwayscoalition.wildapricot.org/event-6779578

08/18/2026

Today’s the day. Rock the vote, Bonita! 🗳️