California stands at a crossroads. As we grapple with the intensifying reality of climate change and rising economic pressures, the way we move through our communities has never been more critical. This week, a powerful coalition of 22 advocacy groups sent a clear message to Governor Gavin Newsom: It’s time to invest in a California that works for everyone, not just those behind the wheel.
The request is straightforward but vital: allocate an additional $200 million annually to the Active Transportation Program (ATP) and $15 million to revive the incredibly popular E-bike Incentive Project.
The Silent Majority: Life Without a Car
We often think of California as a “car culture,” but the data tells a different story. Recent studies show that 35% of Californians have limited access to a vehicle. This includes:
- Students too young to drive.
- Seniors for whom driving is no longer safe.
- Low-income families priced out of car ownership.
- People with disabilities who rely on accessible infrastructure.
Currently, our state spends vastly more on highway expansion than on the sidewalks and bike lanes these millions of people rely on. The coalition argues that the fourth-largest economy in the world shouldn’t leave a third of its population behind.
High Demand, Deep Cuts
The irony of the current funding situation is that these programs are victims of their own success.
- E-Bike Popularity: When the E-bike Incentive Project launched, the first 1,500 vouchers were claimed in less than an hour, leaving over 100,000 people in a digital queue.
- Infrastructure Interest: The Active Transportation Program recently saw 300 applications totaling $2.5 billion in requests—yet funding was recently cut by $400 million.
Despite this overwhelming public appetite for cleaner, cheaper ways to commute, these programs have faced significant budget “sweeps” and cancellations.
More Than Just Transit: A Healthier State
Investing in active transportation isn’t just about getting from point A to point B; it’s a public health and safety initiative. By reducing vehicle miles traveled, California can:
- Lower Pollution: Combat the worst air quality in the nation.
- Save Lives: Reduce the high rates of pedestrian fatalities and traffic violence.
- Boost Economy: Lower road maintenance costs and reduce hospitalizations related to physical inactivity and collisions.
The Path Forward
The coalition’s letter is a call to action to meet the state’s climate targets and ensure that a child can walk to school safely or a worker can reach their job without a car-sized hole in their paycheck.
As the 2026-27 budget takes shape this January, the eyes of millions of “active” commuters will be on Sacramento. It’s time to fund the future of California’s streets.
Read our letter to Governor Newsom here.
Signatories:
- Active San Gabriel Valley
- Asian Pacific Islander Forward Movement
- Bike East Bay
- BikeLA
- CalBike
- California Walks
- Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice
- Claremont Streets for People
- ClimatePlan
- Ecology Action
- Move California
- Move San Mateo
- Rails to Trails Conservancy
- Safe Routes Partnership
- SanDiego350
- South Pas Active
- Streets For All
- Sustainable Claremont
- The Greenlining Institute
- Transform Carter Lavin Transbay Coalition
