March is Florida Bike Month, a statewide celebration of bicycling for recreation, transportation and healthy living. For Naples Pathways Coalition, it is also an opportunity to highlight the education, advocacy and infrastructure needed to make bicycling safer and more accessible throughout Collier County.
Whether someone rides for fitness, transportation, family time or fun, every cyclist benefits from streets and pathways designed with safety in mind.
What Is Florida Bike Month?
Florida Bike Month takes place each March. It encourages residents and visitors to explore bicycling while recognizing its role in active living and community transportation.
Although Southwest Florida’s climate gives people opportunities to ride throughout the year, March provides a focused opportunity to:
- Review bicycle safety practices
- Explore biking trails in Naples
- Try bicycling for transportation
- Attend community cycling events
- Support safer streets and connected pathways
- Learn how drivers and cyclists can share the road responsibly
Florida Bike Month is not only about encouraging more people to ride. It is also about creating conditions that allow people of different ages and abilities to ride more safely.
How Naples Pathways Coalition Supports Bicycle Safety
Naples Pathways Coalition works throughout the year to improve safety for people who walk, bike and run.
NPC combines education, community outreach and advocacy to address both individual behavior and the broader transportation environment.
Providing Safety Equipment and Education
Naples Pathways Coalition’s safety initiatives have included:
- Distributing bicycle lights and reflective vests
- Providing helmets to children and families
- Sharing bicycle safety information
- Encouraging riders to remain visible and predictable
- Educating drivers about safely sharing the road
Safety equipment is important, but it is only one part of preventing crashes. Safer cycling also requires attentive drivers, responsible riding and infrastructure that considers people outside of vehicles.
Advocating for Safer Streets
NPC supports transportation planning that considers people walking, biking, running and using mobility devices.
Depending on the location, safer street design may include:
- Connected bicycle facilities
- Multiuse pathways
- Clearly marked crossings
- Improved lighting and visibility
- Traffic-calming measures
- Safer intersections
- Connections between neighborhoods and community destinations
The responsible government agencies ultimately plan, approve and construct public infrastructure. NPC’s role includes raising community concerns, building partnerships and advocating for pedestrian and bicycle safety throughout the planning process.
Distracted Driving Remains a Serious Concern
A person riding a bicycle has little physical protection if a crash occurs. A driver looking at a phone may fail to notice a cyclist, pedestrian, runner or pathway crossing until there is too little time to respond.
Naples Pathways Coalition founded the Hands-Free Florida Coalition to advocate for a clear statewide standard that would prevent drivers from holding wireless devices while operating a vehicle, subject to appropriate exceptions.
During Florida’s 2026 Legislative Session, lawmakers considered hands-free driving legislation. The proposal changed during the committee process and did not become law.
Although comprehensive legislation did not pass in 2026, NPC continues to educate the public and advocate for policies that reduce distracted driving.
Drivers do not need to wait for a new law to make a safer choice. Before driving:
- Place the phone out of reach
- Turn on a driving focus setting
- Enter navigation instructions before moving
- Ask a passenger to manage messages or directions
- Pull over safely before interacting with a device
Putting the phone down helps protect everyone, especially people walking and biking.
The Bike Brunch & Walk Brings the Community Together
The Naples Bike Brunch & Walk is one of Naples Pathways Coalition’s signature community events.
On March 1, 2026, NPC held its 20th annual Bike Brunch & Walk at Cambier Park. The event welcomed cyclists, walkers, families and supporters for multiple bicycle routes, a walking option and a post-activity gathering.
The event reflects an important part of NPC’s vision: active transportation should be welcoming, community-focused and accessible to people with different interests and abilities.
The Bike Brunch & Walk also gives participants an opportunity to:
- Meet other people who enjoy walking and bicycling
- Build confidence through organized routes
- Introduce children to active community events
- Learn more about Naples Pathways Coalition
- Support pedestrian and bicycle safety initiatives
- Help advance connected pathways in Southwest Florida
Visit NPC’s events page for information about the next Bike Brunch & Walk and other opportunities to ride, walk or volunteer.
The Paradise Coast Trail Is Moving From Vision to Reality
The Paradise Coast Trail is central to Naples Pathways Coalition’s long-term vision for a safer, more connected Collier County.
The broader plan calls for a 100-plus-mile network of paved pathways serving people who walk, bike and run. When completed, the planned network is intended to connect communities and destinations throughout Collier County while providing more opportunities to travel away from vehicle traffic.
The First Seven-Mile Section Is Open
In July 2026, Naples Pathways Coalition announced the opening of the first seven-mile section of the Paradise Coast Trail along the Vanderbilt Beach Road Extension.
This completed section gives residents and visitors a paved pathway for walking, running and bicycling. It is an important milestone, but it represents only one portion of the larger planned network.
Families, recreational riders and runners can review NPC’s current Paradise Coast Trail information before visiting the open section.
The Larger Trail Network Is Still Developing
Most of the broader Paradise Coast Trail remains in different stages of planning, design, funding or future construction.
The long-term vision includes connections involving Naples, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Ave Maria, Immokalee, Everglades City and other Collier County destinations.
As more sections are completed, the trail is intended to create additional opportunities for:
- Recreational bicycle rides
- Walking and running routes in Collier County
- Family outings
- Short trips made without a vehicle
- Connections among neighborhoods and destinations
- Outdoor activity separated from vehicle travel lanes
Project schedules and future connections depend on planning, funding, permitting, design and construction by the appropriate agencies. Readers should consult the Paradise Coast Trail page for current information rather than relying on older route descriptions or projected completion dates.
Why Connected Pathways Matter
A connected trail or bicycle facility is more useful than a pathway that ends unexpectedly or does not reach the places people need to go.
Connected pathways can give residents and visitors more options for recreation, fitness and local travel. They may also make walking and bicycling feel more approachable for people who are uncomfortable traveling beside fast-moving vehicles.
Naples Pathways Coalition’s broader vision is a community where people of different ages and abilities have safe places to walk and bike. Reaching that goal requires thoughtful infrastructure, responsible road behavior and sustained community involvement.
How to Celebrate Florida Bike Month
There are many ways to participate, even if you do not consider yourself an experienced cyclist.
Consider:
- Take a short ride on a familiar route.
- Explore an open biking trail in Naples.
- Review bicycle safety rules with your family.
- Check your helmet, lights, tires and brakes.
- Replace one short vehicle trip with a bicycle trip when a safe route is available.
- Attend or volunteer at an NPC event.
- Share pedestrian and bicycle safety information.
- Support the development of connected pathways.
- Ask local leaders to prioritize safer transportation infrastructure.
- Become a Naples Pathways Coalition member.
Every ride can help demonstrate the value of safer and more accessible bicycling.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Florida Bike Month?
Florida Bike Month is observed in March. It celebrates bicycling for transportation, recreation, fitness and community connection.
What does Naples Pathways Coalition do for cyclists?
NPC provides safety education and equipment, raises awareness, collaborates with community partners and advocates for infrastructure and policies that protect people who bike, walk and run.
What is the Naples Bike Brunch & Walk?
The Bike Brunch & Walk is an annual Naples Pathways Coalition event offering organized cycling and walking opportunities followed by a community gathering. Check NPC’s event page for the next date and registration details.
Is the Paradise Coast Trail open?
The first seven-mile section opened along the Vanderbilt Beach Road Extension in July 2026. The full 100-plus-mile Paradise Coast Trail network has not been completed.
Who can use the completed Paradise Coast Trail section?
NPC’s current project information describes the open pathway as serving people who walk, run and bike. Review posted rules and current trail information before visiting.
How can I support safer cycling in Collier County?
You can practice safe road behavior, share safety information, attend NPC events, volunteer, become a member or donate to support Naples Pathways Coalition’s education and advocacy work.
Help Move Naples Toward a Safer Future
Florida Bike Month reminds us that bicycling can support health, transportation, recreation and community connection. It also reminds us that safer cycling depends on more than individual choices.
Naples Pathways Coalition is working to advance safer streets, reduce distracted driving and build more connected pathways throughout Southwest Florida.
Explore the Paradise Coast Trail, review our bicycle safety resources or help move this work forward by becoming a member, volunteering or making a donation.
