by Scott Stryker
Published by: News-Press, May 16th, 2026

I know what it feels like to lose someone you love. In my case, it was the cruel randomness of pediatric cancer—something with no clear prevention.

For the families of the two cyclists killed this April in Southwest Florida, the grief must carry an added weight: the knowledge that their loss may have been preventable.  We need better, safer infrastructure. From continuous sidewalks to protected bike lanes and fully separated off-road trails, such as the proposed Bonita Estero Rail Trail (BERT), these investments can improve safety and protect pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. For decades, Lee County has lived with a contradiction. Our sunsets are world-class, but our roads are among the most dangerous in the nation for anyone outside a vehicle. Florida consistently ranks at or near the top for pedestrian and cyclist fatalities, and Lee County is often at the center of that crisis. As we move through 2026, it’s time to acknowledge a hard truth: on high-speed corridors like US-41, “sharing the road” has failed. Saving lives will require more than signage—it demands physical separation.

The data makes the urgency clear. Lee County ranks among the deadliest counties in the U.S. for bicyclists, with fatality rates far exceeding the national average. When the vast majority of pedestrian crashes result in serious injury or death, it’s evident that our current infrastructure—sidewalks that abruptly end and painted bike lanes alongside 50 mph traffic—is not a safety feature. It’s a liability.

That’s why the Bonita Estero Rail Trail (BERT) is not just a recreational amenity—it’s a life-saving investment.

The BERT project would transform 11.4 miles of unused Seminole Gulf Railway corridor into a paved, multi-use path through Bonita Springs and Estero. More than a trail, it would serve as a protected “superhighway” for cyclists and pedestrians, completely separated from high-speed traffic and distracted driving.

Rail-to-trail infrastructure improves safety in three critical ways:

●      True Separation: Unlike painted bike lanes, rail-trails eliminate the risk of vehicles encroaching on cyclists. Distance and physical barriers provide real protection.

●      Safer Crossings: Many local fatalities occur at large, multi-lane intersections. Rail-trails allow for engineered crossings—signals, bridges, or underpasses—that prioritize people over traffic flow.

●      A Connected Network: Infrastructure only works if it connects destinations. By linking to the John Yarbrough Trail and the broader Florida Gulf Coast Trail, BERT would transform cycling from a risky activity into a viable transportation option.

Critics point to the cost—most recently estimated at $60 million for acquisition. But that figure must be weighed against the human and economic toll of inaction. Every fatality devastates a family and carries significant public costs. If we can invest hundreds of millions in road expansions that often worsen congestion, we can invest a fraction of that to save lives.

The recent 2026 approvals by  Collier County Commissioners, Estero Village and Bonita Springs councils to advance the purchase agreement represent meaningful progress. They show that those local leaders are listening—to advocates like the Friends of BERT and to residents who are tired of feeling unsafe in their own community.

Now it’s time for the citizens of Bonita Springs to send a message that they want, they deserve places where they can feel safe to walk and bike, away from cars and busy roads. Infrastructure reflects our values. For too long, Lee County  has prioritized vehicle speed over human safety. Projects like BERT give us the opportunity to choose differently.

This isn’t just about building a trail. It’s about building a future where going for a walk or a bike ride isn’t a risk. It’s about ensuring that no more families have to ask whether a loved one’s death could have been prevented.

It’s time to finish the trail, to vote yes on the Bonita Estero Rail Trail (BERT) General Obligation Bond referendum this August 18^th—because lives depend on it.