Naples wants input on plan for bike, pedestrian safety

To keep you safe, the City of Naples is working to make the community accessible for walkers, bicyclists and drivers. They are looking at things like crosswalks and ways to make them safer by drawing attention to them, potentially raising them.

For many people, spending their time in Naples is all about spending time outside, whether that’s biking on a path or walking along it. In Baker Park, these paths are just an example of what other parts of the city could look like.

Naples is currently designing the 2021 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, a yearslong project. Thursday is the last day for those in the community to voice their opinions on the matter via a virtual meeting space where you can see what is going into the plan. You can take a survey to give specific input, but the link closes at 5 p.m.

Some bikers hope getting around on two wheels will be a little easier in the future.

“I think, you know… signage for both the people that are driving as well as for the bikers that will direct you to the next length of the bike path, or if there’s a turn coming up,” said Naples snowbird Richard Carson.

“Well, I think if we had some… a map that was generally available for all, where all the bike paths are, and also identifying the streets that are bike-friendly, where there are bike paths along the sides of the streets, so that you can have some variety and… you know, not always ride on the same bike path,” said Naples snowbird Joseph Mercurio.

The Naples Path Coalition is pushing for more connectivity of bike paths, with hopes of reducing the number of deadly biking accidents.

“When you’re then to contend with traffic and, you know, roads like Gulf Shore Boulevard that are so heavily used and, you know, didn’t get the facilities needed to make it safer for biking and walking, and minimizing the conflicts with drivers there,” said Michelle Avola with the Naples Path Coalition. “So we just want to see better accommodation for vulnerable road users, especially.”

The City says it will have the plans set by June, but it wants to hear from you.