Budget Deal Partially Restores Active Transportation Funding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jared Sanchez, jared@calbike.org, (714)262-0921

SACRAMENTO — CalBike appreciates the Legislature and Governor’s efforts to restore the $600 million cut from the Active Transportation Program in the governor’s May Revise. The final budget, announced over the weekend, restores $100 million in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, with another $100 million promised for 2025-2026. The remaining $400 million could be restored by future appropriations, leaving the door open for future growth of the program. 

CalBike led the coalition that pushed elected leaders to deliver on their promises and restore full funding to the only dedicated state funding source for projects that make our streets safer for people riding bikes, walking, and taking transit, especially in disadvantaged communities where safe street infrastructure is most lacking.

“We are running out of time to change our transportation systems to protect the lives of Californians and our climate,” said CalBike Policy Director Jared Sanchez. “Californians want safe streets. I hope this budget deal signals willingness to commit to funding infrastructure that supports carbon-free transportation options and reduce the horrendous toll of traffic violence on our streets.”

The $100 million restored in the current budget comes from the General Fund rather than our state transportation funds. As California transportation dollars continue to surge with federal funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, state leaders have made bold claims about how much highway funding already supports active transportation on Caltrans projects. CalBike will hold them accountable to those claims by pushing for passage of Senator Scott Wiener’s Complete Streets Bill, SB 960. The Complete Streets Bill is a critical step toward mandating implementation of biking, walking, and transit facilities on state highways.

“Given the difficult budget year, we appreciate the final budget agreement protecting $200 million for the Active Transportation Program,” said CalBike consultant Jeanie Ward-Waller. “However, we have more work to do to continue to grow the most equitable and sustainable transportation program in future years. We look forward to working with the legislature and the governor to prioritize more active transportation funding in the future.”