CalBike welcomes Governor Gavin Newsom’s commitment to fiscal stability in his proposed 2026–27 budget. In a moment of real economic and political uncertainty, steady leadership matters. But when it comes to transportation, the budget once again falls short of aligning California’s spending with its climate, equity, and safety commitments.

Buried deep in the transportation portion (https://ebudget.ca.gov/2026-27/pdf/BudgetSummary/Transportation.pdf), the Active Transportation Program (ATP) is treated as an accomplishment of the past rather than a priority for the future. That framing misses what the ATP actually represents: one of the most cost-effective, scalable, and immediately transformative investments California can make. With comparatively modest funding, ATP projects unlock safer streets, cleaner air, and real alternatives to driving in communities across the state. 

While the administration highlights historic investments made between 2021 and 2025, the proposed budget does not restore or expand ATP funding to meet today’s urgent needs.

CalBike’s proposed remedy is an additional $200 million for the Active Transportation Program, and $15 million for e-bike incentives.

“A single protected bikeway, safer school corridor, or connected walking network changes how an entire neighborhood moves; often for less than the cost of a single highway interchange improvement.” 

– Jared Sanchez, CalBike Policy Director

The ATP remains California’s only dedicated statewide funding source for walking and bicycling infrastructure. It is also one of the state’s most effective climate tools. Yet, despite delivering measurable reductions in vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions, ATP funding continues to lag far behind demand. In recent funding cycles, the California Transportation Commission has been forced to turn away the vast majority of high-quality, shovel-ready projects. At the same time, the transportation budget preserves billions in highway and freight investments that continue to induce driving, increase pollution, and undermine the state’s climate goals. These backward-facing investments lock Californians into decades of higher emissions and greater exposure to climate disasters, even as the state acknowledges the scale of the climate crisis.

Governor Newsom has been clear: “This January budget is not the final word. It is a beginning—a statement of purpose.” CalBike urges the Legislature to use that opening to correct the imbalance in transportation spending. That begins with significantly increasing funding for the Active Transportation Program and making a clear commitment to a transportation system that prioritizes people, safety, and climate outcomes over vehicle throughput alone.

“California won’t meet its climate goals, or provide safety for people traveling outside of a car, until we remodel our transportation investments. We will not be a climate leader while investing in freeways. We need our elected leaders to commit to fully funding the Active Transportation Program.” 

– Kendra Ramsey, CalBike Executive Director

CalBike looks forward to working with lawmakers in the months ahead to ensure the final budget reflects California’s stated values: climate leadership, safe streets, and transportation systems that serve all Californians.