The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law this past week includes a major increase in federal funding to build bike lanes and trails and to help states and cities meet the growing demand for safe, connected places to bike. As a side benefit, many of the funded projects serve everyone’s needs, including motorists, by improving the environment, reducing pollution, and lowering traffic congestion.
- Funding for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), the largest source of federal dollars for bike projects, will increase by 60% in the coming year. It will grow from its $850 million to $1.48 billion in 2026.
- TAP supports the construction, planning, and design of on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation. This includes sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and pedestrian and bicycle signals.
- The program funds the Safe Routes to School program and infrastructure in the vicinity of schools that improves the ability of students to walk and bicycle to school. (FABB is pressing local and state officials to ensure that TAP money is used to fund the role of a full-time Safe Routes to School coordinator for Fairfax County.)
- It also funds traffic calming techniques, lighting and other safety-related infrastructure, and transportation projects to achieve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
- In addition, TAP supports environmental projects to prevent or mitigate pollution, manage stormwater, and preserve habitat.
In short, a 60% increase and sustained growth in TAP funding is a VERY BIG DEAL!
We can’t stop now. Many sorely needed funding programs to improve bike infrastructure, increase safety, connect communities, and create incentives for bike commuting are in the Build Back Better Act still being negotiated by the Congress.
You can help by visiting the People for Bikes website and registering your support with our senators here. Let them know that this important funding for bicycling-related programs needs to remain in the final bill.
It only takes a minute, so please act now.
Want to do more? Contact FABB at [email protected] to learn about volunteer and advocacy opportunities.
