Stories | Enjoy Biking with Safety and Respect

Stories of Hazardous Overtakings of Pedestrians by Bicycles

A Biker Who Doesn't Get It.
16 May 2026; ~9:40AM; In front of Spa at JW Marriott

As I walked S on S Collier Blvd and approached the marked crosswalk at the Spa at JW Marriott, I noticed a man and a woman on bikes crossing to the sidewalk I was on. I did not know which direction they would go. So to be cautious and courteous, I made sure my service dog and I were on the street side grass (shrubbery blocks the water side). As the bikers started to come by me, I reminded them it was necessary to give an audible alert when overtaking pedestrians. While I am I am standing off the sidewalk on the grass, the man told me, somewhat belligerntly, that I should be walking on the right side.

A Terrified Blind Woman
20 April 2026; ~10 AM

I continuously scan the sidewalk as far ahead and behind as I can to spot approaching bicycles. I noticed an approaching bicycle far ahead and tracked it as it approached. Before it passed me, I and my service dog, moved off the sidewalk. The cyclist came by without looking at us or acknowledging our presence.

I had seen the cyclist pass a senior couple walking towards me. As I came up to them, I asked them if the cyclist had given them an audible alert that they were about to be overtaken. The answer was frightening.

The man and woman both said No! They had not been given an audible alert and they had been completely unaware the bicycle was approaching.

The woman then went on to say: "I am blind and these bikes absolutely terrorize me"

It is simply not right that a blind woman should be terrorized while taking a walk in the sun on a Marco Island sidewalk!

Not Safe In My Own Backyard
Date: 27 April 2026; ~ 10:30 AM
Location: N driveway of The Chalet condominium on S Collier Blvd.

I was less than 150 feet from my front door walking up the N driveway. Thankfully Zuzu was close to me — even though she wanted to get home to Peggy. A biker, apparently one of my neighbors, came flashing by on my left — badly startling me.

I passed him as he was putting his bike away and told him he had given me quite a start. His response: Oh…

Marco Island Visitors Experience
Date: 23 April 2026; ~0930 AM
Location: South Collier Blvd in front of the Marriott

As I was passing the Marriott this morning walking my service dog, Zuzu, I noticed a woman on a bike approaching from ahead. I stepped aside. As she passed, she did not look at me at all or acknowledge my presence.

I walked on toward the approaching couple this woman had just overtaken. I asked if they had been given an audible warning of being overtaken. They said no and it that it was frightening. They were visitors here for a two-week stay and they frequently experienced an overtaking without warning. Just recently this had happened with an e-bike, moving fast.

A French Connection and a Repeat…
Date; 29 April 2026
Location: W side of South Collier Blvd near JW Marriott

As I walked with Zuzu S on our morning walk, a couple riding bikes approached me as they were just starting out. I greeted them as I try to do all bikers as they approach, with Good Morning, Enjoy Biking on Marco Island". I followed this with "Caution an audible alert must be given before overtaking a pedestrian — a local ordinance".

The second bike, the woman, stopped and asked me to clarify. She was a French-speaking visitor. We talked (with my poor French trying to help out). I assured her it was legal to ride a bike on the sidewalk (a shared-use path) but a rider needed to provide an audible alert (voice, bell) for safety so the pedestrian would not inadvertently step into the path of a bike when startled. The young woman thanked me and continued on.

A short time on there was a repeat: another couple starting out to bike on beautiful morning. We had a similar conversation.

These anecdotes highlight the problem that infrequent bikers often start out without knowing key saftey rules. But, once aware, will comply.

Anthony
Date; Multiple Encounters in March and April 2026
Location: W side of South Collier Blvd between Residents Beach and Cape Marco.

I have encountered Anthony several times when he quietly overtook me from behind startling me.

After the first incident, I called out that he was required to give an audible alert — by law that carried a fine. He simply waved me off to not bother him.

It was because of this behavior that I decided to wear a body camera on the back of my band cap to capture videos of such incidents.

Anthony was captured in several of these. After the second or third time, I flagged him down and gave him a printed handout card that explained the correct behavior on overtaking a pedestrian and the fact that this was Florida and Marco Island Law with a fine. The card also gave the URL for this website.

The next time we met, he was coming towards me. He stopped to tell me my information on the handout card was wrong as the fine was not $250 as I had originally been informed.

I went home and did a good bit of additional research and verified that there were in deed both Florida and Marco Island laws requiring an audible alert with failure to comply could result in a citation and a fine of $15 or more. I immediately corrected the information on the website.

I again encountered Anthony and I asked him to stop. I thanked him for making me aware of the error and that I had corrected the website.

He said he was aware and appreciated my open-mindedness.

We had an extended and friendly discussion. I learned he was a retired airline pilot and regulations were important to him. In spite of our discussion of the threat a "stealth" overtaking presented, he remained firm in his contention that he should not have to give an audible alert as he wan't going fast and went as far to the side as he could.

I asked him why, if as a pilot he was well aware that things do not always go as they "should" and a needed to take precautions, he was so adverse to following the law and providing an audible alert so that a pedestrian on being startled by overtaking did not step into his path.

His answer was he didn't need to follow the rule on a shared use path.

Tell me: What is so hard and such an infringement on personal rights that a bike operator cannot provide a warning?

This encounter reinforces the need for MIPD to make a clear statement of what the law is and that they are serious about enforcement!

Out of the Mouths of Youth…

Date: March 2026
Time: morning
Location: S Collier Blvd, at Winterberry Drive

I had just been overtaken by a bicycle without an audible alert in a hazardous manner as I was walking N with my service dog. I was upset at the lack of common sense and decency of the rider.

At the crosswalk, I encountered three young men in their early teens who were standing with their bikes awaiting the crossing signal. I asked them if we could talk for a minute and they agreed. I said I was curious about whether they were aware of the legal requirement to give an audible alert when passing a pedestrian. All answered "Sure". One further responded "That is just common sense."

I was very impressed and told them so. Great guys with great parents.

How I wish all the adult bike riders I encounter were this aware and respectful!

Update: 8 May 2026