Second Bicycle Drive for East Naples Communities Devastated by Hurricane Ian Flooding

Naples, FL – Naples Pathways Coalition is partnering with Community School of Naples, Seacrest Country Day School, Bikes for Tykes, Trek Bikes Florida, Island Bike Shop, and Naples Bicycle Tours to provide more than 100 bikes, locks, lights, and helmets for residents in East Naples who were devastated by flooding from the hurricane. These residents were already struggling to get by, and the hurricane wiped them out completely. The flooding also left the residents with no transportation to get basic necessities.

The community is asked to bring gently used bicycles to Community School of Naples on Saturday, December 3 between 9 am and 12 pm. The bikes will be assembled and spruced up by volunteers from members of Naples Pathways Coalition, Naples Velo, and parents from Community School of Naples.

Sign up to help here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080e4aaaad2cabfb6-bicycle

The bikes will be delivered to residents of Palm Lakes on Sunday, December 4, between 1 and 3 pm.

“Community School of Naples is proud to partner with the Naples Pathways Coalition and Seacrest Country Day School to help provide hurricane victims with these much needed means of transportation, said Michael Carpentier, Director of the Juliet Collier Sproul Center for Community and Global Impact at Community School of Naples. “It has been incredible to see the greater Southwest Florida community coming together to address the many needs of those affected by Hurricane Ian over the past two months and this bicycle donation effort is a great way to address a commonly overlooked problem for many in our community. Many of us have resources in our homes that we do not use, which could be of life-changing importance to others, and these bikes are the perfect example. We continue to look for opportunities like this in which community organizations can come together in the spirit of stewardship to make a greater impact than they may be able to do alone.”

“The mission of Naples Pathways Coalition is to create safe, bikeable, and walkable communities,” said Michelle Avola-Brown, Executive Director. “During these challenging times, increasing numbers of people are turning to biking and walking as an affordable mode of transportation, not just for recreation. We are honored to partner with the community to help these deserving families get back on their feet.”

To give a financial gift to help purchase bikes, helmets, locks, and lights, please visit www.NaplesPathways.org/donate and include “East Naples Bike Drive” in the notes.