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California's San Diego Creek Trail | Photo by Kevin Belanger

First Transportation Alternatives Funding Cycle Since BIL Shows Room for Improvement

Posted 09/21/23 by Kim Chesser in Policy | Tagged with Equity, Federal, Funding, Transportation Alternatives

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) celebrated a 70% increase in funding alongside policy changes that support equity, connectivity and maintenance priorities.

Arkansas’ Razorback Regional Greenway

Posted 07/05/23 by Erica Sweeney in Trail Use | Tagged with Arkansas, Connected Systems, Federal, Funding, Local Organizing, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

Whether he’s going to work or out to eat with his family, Fayetteville resident Matt Mihalevich often hops on his bicycle and rides the Razorback Regional Greenway in Northwest Arkansas to get there.

Herring Run Trail in Baltimore, MD | Photo by Side A Photography

The Critical Role of Active Transportation in the Federal Carbon Reduction Program

Posted 06/27/23 by Elle Segal in Policy | Tagged with Equity, Federal, Funding, Mode Shift, Transportation Alternatives

The Carbon Reduction Program (CRP), which provides $6.4 billion in formula funds over five years, and requires 65% of funds to be suballocated based on population.

Ohio's Cleveland Foundation Centennial Lake Link Trail | Photo by Jason Cohn

18 Months In: What's the Impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Trails, Walking and Biking?

Posted 06/23/23 by Elle Segal in Policy | Tagged with Equity, Federal, Funding, RAISE, Recreational Trails Program, RTC in Action, Transportation Alternatives

In the time since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has passed, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and partners know more about what’s possible and what work lies ahead following initial rounds of funding for many of the programs included.

California’s Mill Valley/Sausalito Multiuse Pathway

Posted 06/13/23 by Cindy Barks in America's Trails | Tagged with BATC, California, Ecology and Environment, Federal, Funding, Mode Shift, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

It’s a popular route for children heading to school, a place for retirees to get in a morning walk and a crucial link for bicycle commuters on their way to work. As any of its numerous advocates will tell you, coastal California’s Mill Valley/Sausalito Multiuse Pathway more than lives up to its multiuse name.

Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail | Photo courtesy City of Monterey

Massive Investments in Trails to Connect Millions in California With Safe Community Paths

Posted 12/19/22 by Laura Cohen, Heather Irish in Building Trails, Policy | Tagged with BATC, California, Connected Systems, Funding, State and Federal Programs, TrailNation

California approved a record-breaking $1.02 billion for walking, biking and trail projects that will benefit millions of people across the state through the state’s Active Transportation Program (ATP). Here’s what this means for the future of California trails—and the communities and destinations that they connect.

Mount Vernon Trail in Virginia | Photo by Milo Allerton

Putting Unprecedented Federal Funding for Trails and Active Transportation to Work

Posted 12/09/22 by Brandi Horton, Kevin Mills in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Funding, RAISE, TrailNation, Transportation Alternatives

The team at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has studied the ins and outs of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that includes about $1.44 billion in annual funding for Transportation Alternatives, and other breakthrough programs for trails, walking and bicycling—describing the BIL as a launching point to take the trail development movement to the next level, with work yet to be done.

Reflecting on 2022: Capturing Once-in-a-Generation Opportunities for Trails, Walking and Biking

Posted 12/08/22 by Ryan Chao, Amy Kapp in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Demand for Trails, Encouraging Trail Use, Equity, Federal, Funding, Great American Rail-Trail, Rail-Trail Champion, RTC in Action, Trail Moments, TrailNation, Why Use Trails?

This December, we’re taking time to reflect on the challenges and changes, hard work and persistence, that’s made up the fabric of this impactful year. As we bid farewell to 2022, we take stock of our impact and extend our appreciation to the many partners, friends and supporters who’ve worked so passionately to make our collective achievements possible.

Along the Wendy Park Bridge and Cleveland Foundation Centennial Lake Link Trail in Ohio | Courtesy Cleveland Metroparks

New Federal Funding for Safe Walking and Biking Routes Could Help Meet Booming Demand

Posted 09/12/22 by Kevin Mills in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Funding, RAISE

This summer, developments in federal funding for trails, walking and biking illustrated both the urgency communities are feeling to provide 1) safe and connected active-transportation infrastructure, and 2) more tangible opportunities to invest in the infrastructure their residents are demanding.

Biden Administration Reestablishes Important Tool to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Posted 07/07/22 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy | Tagged with Ecology and Environment, Federal, Funding, State and Federal Programs

RTC is urging all our supporters to once again weigh in with FHWA to say that trails matter, and that state DOTs should set goals and show if they are making progress toward a more sustainable transportation system by funding trails, walking and bicycling.

No Car, No Problem: Connecting Car-less Americans to Opportunities

Posted 06/09/22 by Kevin Mills in Building Trails, Policy | Tagged with Federal, Funding, Mode Shift, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Many federal transportation policies and programs could help redesign communities to work better for walking, biking and transit. One standout opportunity is to “flex” Federal highway funds—such as Surface Transportation Program Block Grants—to transit for purposes of addressing last-mile connectivity to public transportation. Such transfers are attractive because tapping into flexible highway funding can accelerate efforts to meet growing needs for safe places to walk and bike while increasing use of transit services.

Kentucky’s Dawkins Line Rail Trail

Posted 05/13/22 by Austyn Gaffney in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Federal, Kentucky, Tourism and Economic Development, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail of the Month

The Dawkins Line Rail Trail is Kentucky’s longest rail-trail. The 36-mile crushed-stone path is now open to bicyclists, hikers and horseback riders; a short, paved portion is also available in Royalton. The trail takes visitors on a journey back in time as they wind through the bright green Appalachian forests of Breathitt, Johnson and Magoffin counties.

Anacostia River Trail | Photo by Sam Kittner, courtesy Capitol Riverfront BID

We Asked—You Answered: Rails-to-Trails Supporters’ Top Priority Picks for 2022 and Beyond

Posted 04/13/22 by Ryan Cree in America's Trails | Tagged with Demand for Trails, Great American Rail-Trail, History Happened Here, State and Federal Programs, TrailsTransform

Over the past few weeks, we asked our members and supporters for feedback on the direction of our work this year via online survey. We were thrilled to receive more than 10,000 responses from passionate trail users, and we’ll be using what we learned to prioritize our efforts into the future. Here’s a quick rundown of the results. Thanks to everyone who responded!

New Guidance for Transportation Alternatives: Transformative Funding for Trails, Walking and Biking

Posted 04/07/22 by Mary Ellen Koontz in Policy, Building Trails | Tagged with Connected Systems, Federal, Funding, Recreational Trails Program, State and Federal Programs, Transportation Alternatives

Last week, the federal officials released new guidance on the Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside. This guidance instructs state departments of transportation (DOTs) on how to implement the TA funding in alignment with policy changes included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge connecting Iowa and Nebraska | Photo by TrailLink user thejake91739

Spring News from the State Legislatures

Posted 04/06/22 by Andrew Dupuy, Brian K. Housh in Policy | Tagged with California, Colorado, Funding, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio, RAISE, South Carolina, State and Federal Programs, Virginia

Depending on where you live, this time of year may mean the prolonged dregs of winter, early signs of Spring, or some variation on “mud season.” But for most of the country—regardless of climate or geography—it’s also the height of the state legislative season. Most states’ general assemblies are part-time, and generally convene in the early part of each calendar year. All but a handful of states are currently in session. So what does this mean for trails and active transportation funding in states?

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We're a broad-based coalition of nonprofit, for-profit and public sector entities working together to create healthier places for healthier people by supporting increased public investment in walking and bicycling as essential modes of transportation.

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