Action Alert: Call Your Legislators NOW for More Active Transportation Program Funding
Just a few weeks ago, we joined advocates from around the state to ask for increased funding for the state Active Transportation Program (ATP). The program creates safe streets and sidewalks in communities across the state, giving people the freedom to bicycle or walk to wherever they want to go. Last year, local projects funded include the East Palo Alto Pedestrian/Bike Bridge (above image) and Safe Routes to School programs for the San Jose Unified School District.On May 14th, however, the Governor released his “May revise” budget proposal, and despite over $1 billion in new available revenues, we were disappointed that the Active Transportation Program did not get a boost in funding. Earlier this spring, we joined 120 organizations statewide to call for an additional $100 million to build out bicycling and walking networks statewide, and high demand for the program locally far outpaced available funding in the first grant cycle. Traffic calming and pedestrian/bicycle improvements on Almaden Road in San Jose and Safe Routes to School programs in Cupertino, San Mateo and San Jose were not able to receive ATP funds. On Wednesday May 20 our champions in the Assembly budget committee stepped up and proposed a $25 million increase the the ATP.The final budget, which will be adopted by June 15, can still be modified to include more funding for the ATP.We have one chance to push back and ask the Legislature to counter Governor Brown’s proposal. Help us fight to increase the state’s investment in the Active Transportation Program so that all Californians can enjoy the freedom of walking and bicycling safely in their communities. Here's what you can do:
- Pledge your support at bit.ly/IncreaseATP
- Call your Senator and Assemblymember and tell them to encourage legislative leadership to increase the ATP. Find your representative here: findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov
- After you call, email your representatives to follow up, be sure to cc increasetheatp@calbike.org.
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