What’s Next for Active Transportation After the Midterms
Leadership changes up and down the ballot present an opportunity that demands action.
It is no question that trails, walking and biking were on the ballot on Nov. 3.
From ballot measures to significant leadership change at all levels of government, the results of this election will have a direct effect on the future of trails, walking and biking in communities nationwide. Nearly 100 new members of Congress will take their seats in January alongside at least 18 new governors and thousands of state and local lawmakers. It is on us—the leaders of this movement and advocates alike—to harness this moment to ensure that these new lawmakers understand the impact that active transportation delivers in the places they serve and prioritize this infrastructure as essential.
Here’s our take on the post-midterms landscape.
Immediate Wins for Trails
One thing we know for certain: Active transportation infrastructure is both essential and popular. RTC supported many local and state ballot measures, which, once again, proved to be a viable strategy to advance new funding for trails. In dozens of communities, from Charleston, South Carolina, to Los Angeles, voters approved ballot measures that support multimodal travel, including active transportation, alongside trails and greenspace.
Reauthorizing the Federal Surface Transportation Law
Next month, Congress will need to act on the expiring surface transportation law, which provides the country’s largest source of funding for trails, walking and biking. The current law was extended through Dec. 11, 2026, but it is expected that Congress will extend again, which sets up a fresh debate when the new Congress convenes under Democratic leadership in the House and the Senate in January. Bipartisanship will be necessary to advance a bill in the Senate. In the House, the BUILD America 250 Act is likely to be a starting point. It was crafted by Republican leaders in partnership with incoming chairman of the House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee, Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), and passed out of the committee by a strong bipartisan majority earlier this year. It will require considerable outside pressure to motivate the committee to reconsider active transportation programs that were eliminated by that bill, like the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP).
Prioritizing Policies That Advance Active Transportation
While Congress has a mandate to pass a new surface transportation bill, it is not guaranteed that congressional leaders will make this issue their priority, or elevate investments and policies that make it safer and easier for people to walk, bike and be active outside. Likewise, state and local leadership—governors, legislators, agencies, mayors and council members—decide transportation priorities and how federal and state resources are allocated. Whether active transportation rises to the top among any of these new leaders—and whether they are accountable to delivering safe multimodal transportation—is for us to influence.
Our Immediate Work Ahead
It is our collective responsibility to make safe and connected active-transportation infrastructure a priority for all of our new and returning lawmakers.
In Congress, a key task is to persuade committee leadership of the importance of programs and policies that support active transportation. Going forward, RTC will highlight opportunities to influence the debate, including asking all members of Congress to share active transportation opportunities with the committees during the input stage of the process.
Here are key leaders to watch:
In the House T&I Committee, in addition to Rep. Larsen, we expect Rep. David Rouzer (R-N.C.) to become the ranking member. In the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, we predict that the current ranking member, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), will shift to the Judiciary Committee and that Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) will become the chairman. Sen. Merkley was an early supporter of active-transportation connectivity legislation that later evolved into ATIIP. Sen. Capito (R-W.Va.) is expected to remain as the top Republican on the committee.
At the same time, decisions will be made early—even during this transition period—about the issues that will top state and local agendas. In Congress and in states and municipalities nationwide, we need to make sure that trails, walking and biking lead the list of priorities.
The election provides a new context for our collective efforts to lift up our movement to grow and succeed. Now is a critical period to demonstrate the need to make American communities walkable and bikeable and to hold our new leaders accountable to prioritize trails, walking and biking.
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Everyone deserves access to safe ways to walk, bike, and be active outdoors.
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