Every five to six years, Congress passes legislation to reauthorize federal surface transportation funding programs. For more than a year, congressional lawmakers in both the House and the Senate have been working on bipartisan proposals to reauthorize federal funding for roads, bridges, and transit systems, as well as bike infrastructure like trails, protected bike lanes, and multi-use paths that directly drive ridership, retail demand, and long-term growth for the U.S. bicycle market. The last major infrastructure bill, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), contained major wins for bikes thanks to the work of PeopleForBikes and our partners.

PeopleForBikes is once again leading the bike industry’s federal advocacy strategy, working to continue the momentum gained through the IIJA. Since early 2025, our team has lobbied lawmakers to include critical infrastructure funding and policies that support:

• High-quality, modern bicycle infrastructure that boosts local economies, reduces congestion, and improves safety and public health
• Safety for all road users
• Efficiency and modernization improvements to key programs that streamline project delivery and accelerate progress

What’s the Latest News on the Bill?

Congressman Sam Graves, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and lead author of the bill, is expected to release and begin markup of the bill in early-to-mid May. If that happens, the next 60 to 90 days will determine what bike infrastructure funding and policies make it into the final bill.

Lawmakers are still negotiating major policy provisions in the bill, and it remains unclear whether they will meet the mid-May target. While Congress must reauthorize surface transportation programs before they expire on September 30, 2026, a short-term extension of current law is increasingly likely. Lawmakers are still grappling with several long-standing and unresolved issues including identifying a sustainable funding source and broader disagreements about transportation priorities. These challenges are compounded by a packed legislative calendar and the approaching midterm elections.

An extension would maintain current funding levels established under the IIJA, likely ensuring that communities across the country can continue building bike lanes, trails, and connected networks without interruption. Additional time could also allow lawmakers to strengthen key programs and policies, helping deliver a final bill after the mid-term elections that better supports safe, connected places to ride and long-term growth in the U.S. bicycle market.

Although we do not yet know what will be in the bill, PeopleForBikes has pressured lawmakers to include funding for key programs, such as the Transportation Alternatives Program and the Safe Streets and Roads for All Program.

Three New Marker Bills Introduced

House lawmakers recently introduced three more bills central to PeopleForBikes’ federal infrastructure policy agenda that will create more places to ride. These bills are under consideration for adoption into the broader surface transportation reauthorization package:

Active Transportation for Public Lands Act (H.R. 8514)

Expands access to biking and walking in national parks and public lands by funding new and improved trails and bike paths. This bill will unlock expanded outdoor recreation economies, boost demand for bike tourism, and create more high-quality places to ride in some of the country’s most visited destinations.

Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program Reauthorization and Improvement Act (H.R. 8565)

Strengthens and expands the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP) to fund connected, protected bike networks in communities nationwide. By making biking a viable transportation option, this bill will directly drive ridership growth, increase bike sales, and support long-term market expansion for the bicycle industry.

Parks to People Active Transportation Act (H.R. 7751)

Invests in greenways and trail connections that link neighborhoods to parks, jobs, and essential destinations. By improving network connectivity and access to safe places to ride, this bill will help build more bike-friendly communities, increase bicycling participation for both transportation and recreation, and expand the customer base for bike businesses.

A Critical Bill at a Critical Moment for Bike Businesses

Communities across the country have made huge strides in recent years to expand access to safe places to ride a bike. While growth in bike lanes and trails has come thanks to a mix of federal, state, and local investments, federal funding — especially in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization bill — is critical to continuing this momentum. Where people can safely ride bikes, they buy bikes: PeopleForBikes’ data demonstrates that communities with better bike networks have more bike shops and higher sales. As our industry continues to navigate evolving consumer demand and a challenging trade environment, it is crucial that we continue to boost demand for bicycling by creating more places to enjoy the many benefits of riding a bike.

Contact Your Elected Officials

With lawmakers targeting to introduce this bill by mid-May, it is critical that Congress hears from members of the bike industry about how important their support for pro-bike infrastructure policies is to your business.

Now is the time to speak up. Contact your senators and representatives and make it clear to them that investing in bike infrastructure is investing in American communities, public safety, and economic growth. Reach out to PeopleForBikes Director of Federal Policy Chris Bell at chris@peopleforbikes.org if you would like additional assistance contacting your elected officials.