Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In

The Active Transportation Program just released its call for applications for its fifth funding cycle, in which it expects to award $446 millin in funding over the next four years to encourage increased biking, walking, and transit use and increase safety for people not in cars.

To help cities and counties that are planning to apply for the grants, the Safe Routes Partnership has put together a series of webinars to talk about what has been successful for past applicants. This week's webinar, taking place on Thursday at 2 p.m., will focus on the application question referred to as the Statement of Project Need.

This is a key question that can be worth a lot of points in the final scoring. It's important for applicants to make clear how their proposed project aligns with local needs, because the people scoring may know little to nothing about the local context or community. That's in part because, to reduce potential conflicts of interest, ATP applications are scored by a team who are not from the area where the project is proposed. Successful applications include a compelling statement that explains the local context and how the project helps support public health.

The ATP is an underfunded and highly competitive program. Applications are complex and can take a lot of staff time to complete, yet the projects funded play a key role in helping make biking and walking safer in California. California Transportation Commission staff have spent the last year offering workshops and technical assistance both to help applicants with limited capacity to apply, and to help improve, expand, and increase the impact of projects that do apply.

The Safe Routes Partnership webinar will discuss the scoring rubric for this one question, so that applicants know what evaluators are looking for. It will include an introduction to the Healthy Places Index, which offers metrics to determine disadvantaged community status.

The webinar will take place on Thursday, April 2 at 2 p.m. Register for it here.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Covina to Begin Construction on Recreation Village

The new facility will be next to the Metrolink station and include a variety of opportunities for fitness and amusement

July 26, 2024

Talking Headways Podcast: Have Cities Run Out of Land?

Chris Redfearn of USC and Anthony Orlando of Cal Poly Pomona on why "pro-business" Texas housing markets are catching up to "pro-regulation" California and what it might mean for future city growth.

July 26, 2024

Friday’s Headlines

Oakland identifies sites for speed camera pilot; E-bike tariffs conflict with US climate policy; Pollution spikes around warehouses, shipping hubs; More

July 26, 2024

What the Heck is Going on with the State E-bike Incentive Program?

The program's launch has been delayed for two years, and currently "there is no specific timeline" for it. Plus the administrator, Pedal Ahead, is getting dragged, but details are vague

July 26, 2024

The Paris Plan for Olympic Traffic? Build More Bike Lanes

A push to make Paris fully bikable for the Olympics is already paying dividends long before the opening ceremonies.

July 25, 2024
See all posts