In a bid to improve and expand biking and walking infrastructure in California, a coalition of 13 senators and assemblymembers has rallied for the restoration of funding to the Active Transportation Program (ATP). This critical program helps create safer environments for non-motorized transit, which is increasingly under threat due to budget cuts.
The ATP is one of the state’s primary funding sources dedicated to biking and walking infrastructure. Unfortunately, it has faced chronic underfunding over the years, receiving far more qualified applications than it can support. The need for funding is particularly pressing given the cuts to the program in recent years. In 2024, the ATP was specifically targeted by Governor Gavin Newsom for reductions during a tight fiscal period, which has left many essential projects in limbo.
In a positive turn, however, legislators were able to restore some funding previously cut in 2023, but that was not enough. This year, they managed to restore $200 million of the $600 million originally slashed from the ATP in previous budgets. The reduction has limited the program's capacity to support crucial projects, with only 13 projects receiving funding from the latest Cycle 7 grants.
On March 19, 2025, the lawmakers took a significant step by signing a letter addressed to Governor Newsom and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, demanding the restoration of an additional $400 million that was cut from the program in 2024. This requested amount, they argue, could fund up to 36 high-scoring projects from the ATP’s Cycle 7 grant cycle.
The legislators praised the ATP as an effectively equity-focused initiative, optimizing biking, walking, and public transit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Senator Catherine Blakespear, one of the signatories and representative for District 38, expressed her commitment to advancing sustainable transportation. Alongside her were colleagues such as Damon Connolly from Assembly District 12 and Mike Gipson from Assembly District 65.
Given that active transportation not only boosts public health but also plays a vital role in addressing climate change, advocates underscore the importance of maintaining robust funding for these projects. According to the coalition, restoring the $400 million could reinvigorate community planning and development while fulfilling continuous public demand for safe pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure.
Budget negotiations are typically fraught with contention, and while the previous year’s deal hinted at restoring these funds once additional resources became available, ongoing fiscal constraints make this restoration a pressing issue. The hope is that with rising support from elected officials alongside community advocates, active transportation will receive the prioritization it desperately requires.
The ATP helps communities rely less on cars, thereby fostering health benefits, enhancing community spaces, and reducing traffic-related emissions. A wider adoption of sustainable transportation methods is crucial for California’s environmental objectives.
The legislation's momentum is notable. It is rare for politicians to unite and openly support such measures in a political landscape often defined by polarization. This unified stance showcases a growing recognition of the importance of cyclist and pedestrian safety as indispensable components of California's transportation framework.
For constituents who value biking and walking infrastructure, the letter offers an opportunity to express gratitude toward their elected officials for demonstrating commitment to active transportation advocacy. Sharing support can amplify the legislators' efforts to restore funding and lead to tangible changes in their municipalities.
In today's society, where ongoing discussions about climate change and sustainable development are more pertinent than ever, the restoration of these ATP funds stands out as a crucial move. Making biking, walking, and public transportation safer and more appealing is not merely a local concern; it’s a responsibility towards future generations to ensure their accessibility and safety.
As the active transportation movement gains more traction across California, the work of the ATP highlights the necessity of governmental support in fostering sustainable practices that support all residents, especially in urban settings where biking and walking can significantly improve quality of life.
Moving forward, it remains to be seen how California's leadership will respond to the growing demand for improvements in infrastructure related to active transportation. With upcoming budget discussions ahead, further advocacy will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the fate of the ATP's funding and its ability to serve the communities that rely on it.
