Reader Mail – What’s in my Federal Policy Inbox this Month

I love hearing from our Safe Routes to School and active transportation community with questions about what’s happening on Capitol Hill and with federal policy. Here are some of the questions I got this month while Congress was on recess – and answers to those questions.

What federal funding programs are open that I can apply for to improve walking and bicycling?

Checking in on State Implementation of the Transportation Alternatives Program

At the close of the third quarter of 2023, a few things stand out when we review the quarterly State of the States spreadsheet tracking states’ implementation of the Transportation Alternatives Program. For starters, states are doing a great job obligating funds. In quarter 3, which ended on June 30, 2023, states obligated over $255 million in projects that support walking, bicycling, and Safe Routes to School.

Urgency Meets Opportunity: $3 Billion This Year Alone to Build and Repair Community Connections Through Safe, Equitable Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Transit Improvements

This blog post was collaboratively written by Marisa Jones (Safe Routes Partnership), Caron Whitaker (League of American Bicyclists), and Mende Yangden (National Resources Defense Council).

July Federal Policy Roundup

After a federal policy blog hiatus due to parental leave, we’re back with a roundup of what’s been happening and what to watch for on federal policy related to Safe Routes to School, walking, and bicycling.

Transportation Alternatives Program Implementation

New Year, New Congress – What We’re Going to Work On, But We Need Your Help to Achieve! (Plus, What Happened on the Hill While We Were Out)

Happy new year! January 3rd marked the start of the 118th Congress, and we are enthusiastic about our ongoing work to keep Safe Routes to School relevant and prioritized in federal policy. As we shared last month, the majority of our legislative priorities were included in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, so this year, we are working toward the following: