Federal Transportation Funding for Trails, Walking and Biking
In November 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure Jobs and Investment Act (IIJA)—also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)—that included the five-year reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs. This bill significantly increased funds for trails and active transportation programs, bolstering familiar, long-standing programs and added new funding opportunities for trails, walking and biking.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) has long championed transformative policy changes to drive mode shift by increasing funding for active transportation and creating accountability for progress on climate, equity and safety. The increase in funding for trails, walking and biking under this new law creates urgency to support communities in accessing these funds in a timely manner to demonstrate the demand that exists for this funding and to accelerate the creation of trail networks and safe walking and biking routes to routine destinations—essential infrastructure to make it safe and convenient for more people to walk and bike where they want to go. Prioritizing such projects across funding programs will set important precedents and success on the ground will build political will for future progress.
RTC’s federal funding resources offer the latest information about potential federal funding opportunities for trails and active transportation, as well as tools to help communities successfully apply for grants or navigate reimbursement programs.
Media and Statements
- New Federal Grants Elevate Trail and Active Transportation Systems as Essential Infrastructure in Addressing Traffic Fatalities | RTC (2/3/23)
- Sustained Demand for Trails and Active Transportation Infrastructure Evident in Federal Appropriations Bill | RTC (1/11/23)
- $45M for New Trails Grants Included in Federal Funding Deal | Route Fifty (12/21/22)
- Federal Funding Bill Contains $45M for New Active Transportation Program | Streetsblog USA (12/22/22)
- Putting Unprecedented Federal Funding for Trails and Active Transportation to Work | RTC (12/9/22)
- New Federal Funding for Safe Walking and Biking Routes Could Help Meet Booming Demand | RTC (9/12/22)
- RAISE Grants to Fund Complete Streets in Nearly Every State | Streetsblog USA (8/11/22)
- FY22 Raise Grants Underscore Urgency to Invest in Safe, Connected Active Transportation Infrastructure for All Communities | RTC (8/11/22)
- Biden Administration Reestablishes Important Tool to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions | RTC (7/7/22)
- New Guidance for Transportation Alternatives: Transformative Funding for Trails, Walking and Biking | RTC (4/7/22)
- USDOT’s Current RAISE Funding Opportunity Is Best Chance Yet to Secure Big Investments in Connected, Safe Walking and Biking Routes | (2/8/22)
- Advocates Hope ‘Inspired’ RAISE Grants are a Taste of Things To Come | Streetsblog USA (11/23/21)
- New Opportunities for Trails, Walking and Biking in Congress’s Package of Infrastructure Bills | RTC (11/6/21)
- Analysis: Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Passes With New Opportunities for Trails, Walking and Biking | RTC (11/6/21)
Dedicated Active Transportation Funding Sources
These programs provide federal funding that is dedicated to trails, walking and biking.
Transportation Alternatives
The nation’s largest dedicated federal funding source for trails and active transportation. New guidance instructs state DOTs on how to implement the TA funding in alignment with policy changes included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
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Recreational Trails Program
Funded by gas taxes paid by off-road vehicles, the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is dedicated to the construction, restoration and maintenance of nonmotorized and motorized recreational trails (paved and unpaved) and trail-related facilities.
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Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program
This new program, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), establishes a competitive grant program focused on connecting active transportation infrastructure.
LEARN MOREMultimodal Programs
These multimodal transportation programs are broader in scope and more competitive due to expanded eligibility but create opportunities for trail and active transportation projects and can address specific issues like climate, equity and safety.
Climate and Environment
The transportation sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change and driving less is essential to reduce emissions. Programs like the Carbon Reduction Program and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program can be used to develop connected active transportation infrastructure that provides walking and biking routes to routine destinations.
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Equity
Creating and expanding trail and active transportation networks increases mobility options, especially for those who cannot or choose not to drive. Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grants and the new Reconnecting Communities program specifically address the need to reduce barriers that limit mobility choice and disproportionately impact underserved communities.
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Safety
Trails and active transportation networks can play a critical role in reducing serious injuries and fatalities by separating vulnerable road users from traffic and providing connected walking and biking routes to routine destinations. The Safe Streets and Roads for All Program and the Highway Safety Improvement Program create new opportunities and requirements to invest in vulnerable road user safety.
LEARN MOREOther Eligible Funding Sources
Trails and active transportation projects are eligible for funding under these programs that are competitive against other local and state priorities.
American Rescue Plan/Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
These funds are intended to provide relief and assistance to local, state and tribal governments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Earmarks
These funds support local priorities and are requested by members of Congress.
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Rural Surface Transportation Grant (RSTG)
The Rural Surface Transportation Grant (RSTG) program supportS projects that will improve and expand surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas
LEARN MOREAll Other Programs
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a variety of new and robust funding sources for trails and active transportation networks, as well as new eligibility and increased funding for existing programs.
VIEW ALL PROGRAMS LIST
USDOT Funding Chart
The USDOT has created a very detailed and comprehensive chart documenting all their pedestrian and bicycle funding sources. This document includes project types and links to funding sources.
DOWNLOAD CHART
Federal Transportation Funding Fiscal Year 2023 Discretionary Grant Preparation Checklist
The USDOT has created a comprehensive preparation checklist for potential applicants to prepare and apply for new funding passed under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
DOWNLOAD CHART
Transportation Alternatives Data Exchange
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s (RTC) Transportation Alternatives Data Exchange (TrADE) is the nation’s go-to transportation funding data source for trails and active transportation, tracking TA spending for tens of thousands of projects.
Wisconsin’s Oak Leaf Trail | Photo by Front Room Media
For 30 years, over $20 billion in federal funds have been invested in trails and walking and biking projects nationwide through the Transportation Alternatives Program. Even though this investment represents only a sliver of the country’s overall spending on surface transportation, it provides the financial foundation to build the nation’s trails and active transportation systems. Since the program’s inception, RTC has tracked spending through an annual Transportation Alternatives Spending Report, which outlines program investments in each state. This ongoing accounting of program implementation is an important tool in efforts to strengthen the program, improving the efficiency and efficacy of the investments made.
EXPLORE DATABASE VIEW LATEST ANALYSIS PROJECT SEARCH
Active Transportation Policy Hub
Explore RTC’s resource for the latest in state and local funding strategies for trails, biking and walking.
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