MAP-21 Resource Center

In late June 2012, Congress passed a new transportation bill, MAP-21, that makes significant changes to funding for bicycling, walking and Safe Routes to School. The federal Safe Routes to School program, which existed from 2005 to 2012, has now been combined with other bicycling and walking programs into a new program called Transportation Alternatives. There is less funding available for Transportation Alternatives than for the programs that were consolidated, and there is no longer dedicated funding for Safe Routes to School. 

However, this leaves each state Department of Transportation with discretion about whether to fund Safe Routes to School projects, and how much funding to dedicate to these initiatives.  In addition, the Metropolitan Planning Organizations for larger cities (population of 200,000 or more) will also receive funding through Transportation Alternatives that they can provide for Safe Routes to School, bicycling and walking projects.

We urge Safe Routes to School advocates to join your state's campaign to fully fund Transportation Alternatives.  To do so, contact the campaign lead for your state. All of us collectively will need to make the case to state departments of transportation as to why Safe Routes to School is necessary so that it can continue in all states.

In addition, all advocates will be better able to advocate for their projects if they are up-to-date on MAP-21 and its changes.  Please review the following materials (newest items first):

  • April 26, 2013: This month's federal policy blog covers the 2014 proposed spending levels for transportation and health programs affecting Safe Routes to School, along with a short update on implementation of MAP-21.
  • March 28, 2013: Read this month's federal policy blog to learn more about how to talk with policymakers about Safe Routes to School.
  • February 28, 2012: Learn more about the sequester and performance measures in our latest blog.
  • February 15, 2013: Review our latest State of the States report to see the latest figures on how much funding states have remaining for Safe Routes to School.
  • January 14, 2013: Read our latest blog about how to make the case to your state department of transportation to supplement Transportation Alternatives with funding from the Highway Safety Improvement Program to protect Safe Routes to School funding.
  • January 11, 2013: Today, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released the full funding tables for all transportation programs, including Transportation Alternatives and the allocations for larger metropolitan areas. 
  • December 3, 2012: While interim guidance was issued by the US Department of Transportation in October, there are still many implementation tasks remaining on MAP-21. Final guidance, rules, regulations, best practices for applications and performance measures all must be issued, and will affect how your state implements Safe Routes to School.  Learn more about next steps on federal implementation in our latest blog post.
  • November 2, 2012: As the new interim guidance for Transportation Alternatives requires a 20 percent match for Safe Routes to School, our new blog outlines what qualifies for the match and provides ideas on how to raise those matching funds.
  • October 22, 2012: Today, the US Department of Transportation released the new interim guidance on Transportation Alternatives, which provides states with additional information on how to implement the program. Read our blog for the full details on the good news and the bad news from the guidance.
  • October 9, 2012: MAP-21 is now in effect and states are already making decisions on Safe Routes to School, bicycling and walking funding--read in our latest blog about progress and victories in eight states. 
  • September 21, 2012: We worked with America Bikes to coordinate a national sign-on letter to USDOT on critical guidance issues, including the Safe Routes to School coordinators and match.
  • September 5, 2012: We are one month away from October 1, when MAP-21 provisions go into affect.  Please take one hour to watch our webinar on the Safe Routes to School impacts of MAP-21 to get informed.  And, then take a look at our checklist of concrete things you can do in the next month to take ownership over your state's funding for Safe Routes to School and your own program. 
  • August 30, 2012: Learn more about MAP-21 through webinars, including one on Safe Routes to School plus the first MAP-21 webinar.
  • August 20, 2012: Join your state's campaign to fully fund Transportation Alternatives; simply contact the campaign lead for your state.
  • August 7, 2012: Confused by all the numbers thrown around for MAP-21?  Read our lasted blog explaining the state by state funding allocations under Transportation Alternatives and remaining Safe Routes to School funds
  • August 2, 2012: While news from MAP-21 may seem disheartening, there are lots of ways we can survive and thrive.  Read our blog for 10 ideas. 
  • July 26, 2012: It's been nearly a month since Congress passed the new transportation bill, MAP-21.  Read more about our plans for next steps on the transportation bill and Director Deb Hubsmith's thoughts on how it's up to us to ensure continued growth for Safe Routes to School.
  • June 28, 2012: Negotiators on the transportation bill have reached an agreement, that is expected to be voted on yet this week by the House and Senate.  Unfortunately, the agreement includes significant cuts to Safe Routes to School, bicycling and walking.  See the documents below for more details: