Federal Funding for Bicycling at Risk
Critical federal funding for projects like bike lanes, crosswalks, Safe Streets for All planning grants, and Vision Zero initiatives is at risk.
by Anne Savage, New York Bicycling Coalition
In New York alone, 78 projects worth over $900 million could be jeopardized - stopped with the stroke of a pen. That includes everything from sidewalks and bike lanes near schools, to major transportation projects across New York that are being reviewed to see if they include ancillary bike lane work.
What’s Happening?
On March 11th - the same week that NYBC and advocates from across the country were in DC for the National Bike Summit - the U.S. Department of Transportation quietly issued an internal memo adding “bicycle” to the list of words that trigger heightened political review. Any federal grant that does not have a signed grant award agreement is now at risk. Just like “equity,” “justice,” “climate,” and “underserved communities,” the word “bicycle” now triggers increased scrutiny that could strip away funding for real, on-the-ground improvements to make streets safer for everyone - projects we all thought were locked in!
What Can You Do?
🟢 Easiest: Sign the petition at the League of American Bicyclists to demand that USDOT not freeze these critical transportation funds.
🟡 Medium: Contact your Representative or Senator by phone, email, or letter. Tell them that safe streets matter to you, and that street safety projects across New York should not only continue, but expand. Find your Representative at https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
🔴 More Challenging: Find out the status of a local project. Read up on the project and find out who the local sponsor is - probably your Village, Town, City, County or Metropolitan Planning Organization. Call them and find out what you can about your project. Is it “fully obligated”? Have they heard from USDOT? What is the anticipated schedule? Share what you learn with us at anne@nybc.net. We have a list of 77 potentially affected grants, but we need local confirmation - and we can’t do it alone. If you are willing to help but want to know whether there’s a project in your community, contact Anne and she will let you know.
⭐ Gold Star: Want to make a real impact? Help us make calls to confirm the status of multiple projects. Email Anne and join the effort to ensure every single project gets the funding that USDOT promised.
This Is Not a Drill.
If you care about safer streets, protected bike lanes, and sustainable transportation, NOW is the time to act. Once this funding is gone, it may not come back. Raise your voice before it’s too late.
The New York Bicycling Coalition is the only statewide organization focused primarily on cycling. Our unique role is to unite, inspire, and support the New York cycling community and to provide a cohesive voice for people who ride bikes across New York State. We work closely with the New York Safe Streets Coalition to advocate for safe streets for everyone in New York.
Find us at www.nybc.net, https://www.facebook.com/nybicyclingcoalition, or https://www.instagram.com/nybicyclingcoalition
