Memorial service May 19 for Naples cyclist Jim Badger, killed in accident

A memorial service will be held later in May for a Naples cyclist who was hit by a motorist in North Naples last month

Donald “Jim” Badger, 63, died April 12 from injuries sustained in the accident while riding his bicycle along Immokalee Road, the Florida Highway Patrol reported last month.

A celebration of life begins Sunday, May 19, at 2 p.m. at the Eva-Sugden Gomez Center in Baker Park, 50 Riverside Circle, Naples, his obituary on naplesnews.com said.

What happened in the bike-vehicle accident on April 12?

Badger was cycling west on a sidewalk and approaching an entrance to the Logan Landing shopping center around 1:50 p.m., the Florida Highway Patrol said in a news release in April.

Around the same time, a 32-year-old woman from Naples was driving an SUV in the driveway of Logan Landings, 2270 Logan Blvd. North. As the driver turned right onto eastbound Immokalee Road, she struck the bicyclist, state police reported.

Badger suffered serious injuries and was transported to Gulf Coast Medical Center in Lee County, where he died that night.

The crash remains under investigation, FHP Lt. Greg Bueno said in an email May 8. State police have not released the name of the SUV driver.

Jim Badger moved to Naples with his wife Jane in 1996 and was a performer at Ridgway Bar & Grill in Naples for a decade.

“Jim Badger was there for the first few years of Ridgway Bar & Grill’s resurgence,” said Tony Ridgway, chef and owner.

“Jim’s humor and natural talent were a huge draw and an integral part of the restaurant’s success during this time. Jim was an outstanding entertainer and an even more fabulous human being.”

Ride of Silence event takes place on May 15th in Naples

The Naples Pathways Coalition has invited the community to participate in the National Ride of Silence on Tuesday, May 15, to honor cyclists injured or killed while cycling, raise awareness of the importance of bicycle safety, and encourage everyone to to do their part to share the road safely.

Participants are asked to meet at Cambier Park, 755 Eighth Ave. between 6:00 and 6:30 p.m. S, Naples, before leaving at 6:30 p.m. For the slow, hour-long ride in silence, helmets are required for those whose lives have been lost or changed dramatically due to an accident while cycling.

Many participants will be wearing their neon yellow Naples Pathways Coalition shirts to ensure visibility and unity. For anyone without a t-shirt, t-shirts are available for a donation before and after the ride.

Participation in the Ride of Silence is free, but participants are asked to register at https://bit.ly/ROS2024. We accept donations to support the families of people who have died while cycling or who are still struggling after a serious accident.

Earlier this year:61-year-old cyclist killed in collision with SUV in North Naples

Bikes for Tykes will provide free rental bikes and helmets to anyone who wants to participate in the event but does not own a bike. They must be returned at the end of the trip. Bicycle requests must be submitted via email to [email protected] no later than May 14th.

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