Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Bicycling

Did Your State Forfeit Federal Funds for Walking and Biking?

Georgia DOT forfeited more than $4 million in federal funds earmarked for biking and walking that could have been used to improve safety on roads like this. Transportation for America/Flickr

Millions of dollars that should have gone toward building safer sidewalks or bike lanes near schools were instead forfeited by state DOTs that couldn't get their acts together.

That's according to data compiled by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership. The 2012 federal transportation bill gave states four years to spend funds from the "Transportation Alternatives" program -- the name for small pot of money for walking and biking infrastructure. The hard deadline was October 1.

In total, states returned $17 million intended for biking and walking to the federal government instead of spending to make neighborhoods safer and healthier.

While most state DOTs executed the program properly, a small number left money unspent. Here are the states that dropped the ball and returned bike/ped money to the feds:

    • Georgia: $4.4 million
    • Maryland: $2.5 million
    • New Jersey: $6.2 million
    • North Carolina: $4 million

In addition, many states choose to transfer Transportation Alternatives funds to road and bridge projects. In total, states shifted about 18 percent of the funding in the program to projects that are not primarily for walking and biking.

Given the rising number of pedestrian deaths nationwide, it's unconscionable to leave money on the table. Even small amounts can go far for walking and biking infrastructure.

"States who allowed this to happen forfeited money meant for safety and transportation by simply not planning ahead," writes Safe Routes' Deputy Director Margo Pedroso. "Advocates know that there are indeed Safe Routes to School, biking and walking projects that could desperately use these funds, but the state DOT did not fulfill its responsibilities to ensure the TAP money was obligated in time."

Correction: Due to an error in the source data provided by SRTS, this post originally stated that DOTs had forfeited $28 million in bike/ped funds. The correct figure is $17 million. In addition, some states were erroneously identified as leaving funds unspent. The post has been updated to accurately convey which states did not spend their bike/ped funds.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday Video: An ‘Oh the Urbanity’/Streetfilms Montréal Mashup

Find out why the City of a Hundred Steeples is so magnifique.

September 12, 2025

Sharing Is Caring for Friday’s Headlines

Young adults are driving less, and that may have something to do with the rise of shared micromobility devices.

September 12, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: This Boat is Doing Something Amazing for Transit!

Could a simple sale of old train cars inspire a new generation of transit fans down in Lima, Peru? It's all part of a very special edition of our podcast.

September 11, 2025

In Trade Deal With Trump, Europe Sells Out its Pedestrians

The new trade deal between the European Union and the U.S. means that pedestrians from Lisbon to Helsinki will be endangered by big, American-made trucks.

September 11, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines Are Day Trippers

It took me so long to find out one-way streets are bad, but I found out.

September 11, 2025

How Chicago Cyclists Are Protecting Immigrants During Trump’s ICE Crackdown

Bike riders are notifying residents who may be at risk of what Mayor Brandon Johnson recently called "militarized immigration enforcement without due process."

September 10, 2025
See all posts