On Thursday, March 13, Rails to Trails Conservancy issued an alert regarding federal funding for bicycle infrastructure, especially recreational trails and shared-use paths, along with an urgent request to take action:
The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued new guidance on March 12, increasing the scrutiny of unobligated and partially obligated federal grants that they deem to be inconsistent with their policy priorities.
The memo adds bicycle infrastructure in general, and recreational trails and shared-use paths in particular, to prior targets of their reviews including investments in reducing climate emissions, and diversity, equity and inclusion activities. This heightens the urgency for us all to raise the USDOT’s awareness of how trails, walking and biking support their express goals, including safety and economic development.
The memo has serious implications for current and future active transportation projects. As Senator Ed Markey bluntly posted on Bluesky: Let’s be clear about the impact of this DOT memo: Pedestrians and cyclists are going to die.
What can you do?Â
Urge your local and state officials to sign this letter from Rails to Trails Conservancy to USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy.
Call your state and federal elected officials and tell them how this impacts your community. The United States has the most dangerous transportation infrastructure in the industrialized world, and de-prioritizing active transportation projects will make the crisis worse. This should not be a partisan issue.
Sign this petition from the League of American Bicyclists
urging USDOT Sec. Duffy not to freeze funding for safe infrastructure.