Last week, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced the BUILD America 250 Act (H.R. 8870), a bipartisan proposal to reauthorize federal transportation funding programs for five years. The 1,005-page bill includes major investments in roads, bridges, transit, and bicycle infrastructure.

The legislation would directly impact federal funding for bike lanes, trails, greenways, and transportation safety programs across the country. PeopleForBikes and our partners spent the past year advocating to preserve and strengthen key bicycle infrastructure and safety programs included in the bill. Learn more about PeopleForBikes efforts to shape the bill here.

The last surface transportation reauthorization bill, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021, included big wins for bicycling thanks to the work of PeopleForBikes and our partners.

Why This Bill Matters for Bicycling

Federal transportation policy shapes how communities fund bike lanes, trails, connected active transportation networks, and roadway safety improvements. The next transportation bill will influence billions of dollars in future investment — affecting riders and local communities for years to come. Federal investment in bike infrastructure also plays a significant role in expanding ridership, improving access, and supporting long-term growth for the U.S. bicycle industry.

Key Bike Infrastructure and Safety Provisions in the BUILD America 250 Act

Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)

What it is: TAP is the nation’s largest dedicated federal funding source for bike lanes, trails, sidewalks, and active transportation infrastructure.

What changed: The BUILD America 250 Act reauthorizes TAP at an average of $1.6 billion annually, a modest increase over current funding levels. However, the bill also makes it easier for states to transfer TAP funding away from bike and pedestrian projects.

Why it matters: TAP is one of the most important federal programs supporting local bike infrastructure projects nationwide. Changes to the program could directly impact future investment in connected bike networks and safer streets.

PeopleForBikes’ position: Preserving and increasing TAP funding is a top PeopleForBikes priority. We support the funding increase but remain concerned about provisions that could weaken long-term protections for bike infrastructure funding.

Safe Streets and Roads for All Program

What it is: The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program funds local transportation safety planning and infrastructure projects aimed at reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries.

What changed: The bill reauthorizes the program at $3.75 billion over five years, slightly below IIJA funding levels. It also shifts the program towards implementation projects and lowers local cost-share burdens for communities.

Why it matters: SS4A has become one of the most important federal funding sources for bike safety improvements and Vision Zero initiatives across the country.

PeopleForBikes’ position: PeopleForBikes strongly supports continued funding for SS4A alongside efforts to make the program more accessible for local communities building safer bike infrastructure.

Recreational Trails Program (RTP)

What it is: RTP funds the development and maintenance of trails, greenways, and off-road active transportation infrastructure.

What changed: The bill reauthorizes RTP at $84 million annually and includes language clarifying that electric bicycles are allowed on non-motorized RTP-funded trails.

Why it matters: RTP supports access to trails and outdoor recreation nationwide, while the e-bike clarification provides additional certainty for riders and land managers.

PeopleForBikes’ position: PeopleForBikes supports RTP reauthorization and advocated for the inclusion of e-bike access language in the bill.

Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)

What it is: HSIP is the federal government’s core transportation safety funding program.

What changed: The bill increases HSIP funding and retains IIJA requirements directing high-risk states to invest more resources into vulnerable road user safety.

Why it matters: HSIP funding helps communities address dangerous road conditions for bicyclists and pedestrians.

PeopleForBikes’ position: PeopleForBikes supports maintaining strong vulnerable road user safety requirements within HSIP.

Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act

What it is: This legislation aims to reduce barriers that prevent communities from building connected bike networks and safer active transportation infrastructure. Learn more here.

What changed: The BUILD America 250 Act includes provisions that improve eligibility for connected bike networks and reduce financial barriers for local governments using TAP funding.

Why it matters: These changes could help communities deliver larger, more connected bike infrastructure projects.

PeopleForBikes’ position: PeopleForBikes supports these provisions as an important step toward accelerating investment in connected bike infrastructure.

BIKE Act

What it is: The BIKE Act expands eligibility for bicycle safety education and training within federal traffic safety funding programs.

What changed: The BUILD America 250 Act adds bicycle training and education as an eligible use of federal behavioral safety funding through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Why it matters: This change could increase support for bicycle safety education programs nationwide.

PeopleForBikes’ position: PeopleForBikes supports expanding federal support for bicycle education and rider safety initiatives.

Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP)

What it is: ATIIP is a federal grant program that funds connected active transportation networks.

What changed: The BUILD America 250 Act repeals the program.

Why it matters: ATIIP was designed to help communities build large-scale connected bike and trail networks. Eliminating the program could slow future investment in transformative active transportation projects.

PeopleForBikes’ position: PeopleForBikes views the repeal of ATIIP as a significant setback for connected bike infrastructure and active transportation investment across the U.S.

Surface Transportation Accelerator Grant Program (STAG)

What it is: STAG is a new discretionary grant program supporting transportation projects in rural, urban, local, and regional communities.

What changed: The BUILD America 250 Act creates this new program with broad transportation project eligibility.

Why it matters: Because the program is highly competitive and broadly defined, bicycle infrastructure projects may struggle to compete for funding.

PeopleForBikes’ position: PeopleForBikes supports strong eligibility for bike infrastructure projects within discretionary transportation funding programs, including dedicated funding programs for bicycle infrastructure.

Micromobility Safety Study

What it is: The bill includes a federal study focused on micromobility safety and children.

What changed: The legislation excludes additional language supported by PeopleForBikes related to the safety risks posed by high-speed e-moto devices.

Why it matters: Federal research could shape future micromobility safety policy and product regulation.

PeopleForBikes’ position: PeopleForBikes supports stronger federal attention to e-moto safety concerns and continues to advocate for clearer distinctions between low-speed e-bikes and high-speed motorized devices.

Safe Routes to School

What it is: The Safe Routes to School movement supports safer walking and biking access for students traveling to school in communities nationwide.

What changed: The BUILD America 250 Act does not include the Kids on the Go Act, which would encourage states to employ Safe Routes to School coordinators.

Why it matters: Safe Routes to School programs improve student safety and increase active transportation options for families.

PeopleForBikes’ position: PeopleForBikes supports stronger federal support for Safe Routes to School programs and local coordination efforts.

Project Delivery

What it is: The bill includes provisions related to transportation project permitting and delivery timelines.

What changed: The legislation directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to clarify criteria that could allow bike infrastructure projects to qualify for accelerated permitting review.

Why it matters: Clearer permitting guidance could help communities deliver smaller bike infrastructure projects more quickly.

PeopleForBikes’ position: PeopleForBikes supports efforts to streamline the delivery of safe and connected bike infrastructure projects.

Magnus White and Safe Streets for Everyone Act

What it is: This legislation would require vehicle safety technology designed to better detect and protect bicyclists and other vulnerable road users. Learn more here.

What changed: The bill advanced through the House Energy and Commerce Committee as part of the bipartisan Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026.

Why it matters: Vehicle safety technology has the potential to significantly reduce crashes involving bicyclists and pedestrians.

PeopleForBikes’ position: PeopleForBikes supports stronger vehicle safety standards that improve protections for vulnerable road users.

Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Standards

What it is: The Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act would direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish mandatory safety standards for e-mobility devices and batteries.

What changed: The legislation continues advancing through Congress after previously passing the House floor and Senate committee review.

Why it matters: National battery safety standards could improve consumer confidence and reduce fire risks associated with unsafe products.

PeopleForBikes’ position: PeopleForBikes strongly supports mandatory lithium-ion battery safety standards for e-bikes and other e-mobility devices.

A Good Starting Point, With Room for Improvement

Overall, the BUILD America 250 Act is a decent floor for the upcoming transportation bill, though there is room for progress. Replicating the major bike infrastructure and safety wins included in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was always expected to be difficult.

Since passage of the IIJA, congressional scrutiny around federal transportation spending — including bike infrastructure funding — has increased significantly. As written, the bill provides less dedicated funding for bicycle infrastructure and safety than the IIJA and weakens several existing pro-bike policy protections.

Still, thanks to persistent advocacy from PeopleForBikes and our partners, the BUILD America 250 Act includes some of our core pro-bike federal priorities. The reauthorization of TAP funding was a top priority, with PeopleForBikes co-leading a campaign with the League of American Bicyclists, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, the Safe Routes Partnership, and others, culminating in a coalition letter to Congress in support of TAP. The Safe Streets and Roads for All Program resulted in a massive upswell in bicycle safety projects around the country, making it a top conversation topic in DC transportation circles. Both programs were under threat, yet both programs made it into the bill, reflecting an acknowledgement from Congress that funding bicycle infrastructure and safety is an important federal priority.

In addition, the inclusion of the Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act and the Magnus White and Safe Streets for Everyone Act are significant wins for safety, led by the brave advocacy of the families of Sarah Debbink Langenkamp and Magnus White. The passage demonstrates strong bipartisan support for improving safety for bicyclists and other vulnerable road users.

What Happens Next

The BUILD America 250 passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure by a 62-2 vote, indicating strong support from both sides of the aisle. It is unclear when the bill may move to a vote on the House Floor. The Senate also has yet to propose their own surface transportation bill, and it is unclear when that may occur.

Congress must pass a new transportation bill before current programs expire on September 30, 2026, but lawmakers still face major funding and political hurdles. As a result, Congress may ultimately extend current IIJA funding levels for another year while negotiations continue. An extension could preserve some federal funding for bike infrastructure projects while creating additional opportunities to strengthen pro-bike policies in a final long-term transportation package.

PeopleForBikes will continue working with lawmakers and coalition partners to protect and expand federal investment in bike infrastructure, trails, and safer streets nationwide. If you have any questions, please reach out to Director of Federal Policy Chris Bell at chris@peopleforbikes.org.