Pappas, Huffman, Quigley Introduce Legislation to Improve Active Transportation Systems
Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Congressman Jared Huffman (CA-02), members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05) introduced legislation to reauthorize and improve the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP), a federal grant program to help build connected active-transportation routes including trails, sidewalks, and bikeways that support the health and economic growth of our communities.
Robust funding for active transportation is critical to meeting the growing demands from rural, suburban, and urban communities in New Hampshire and across America for convenient, accessible, well-maintained biking and walking routes. As ATIIP authorization expires at the end of the year, the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP) Reauthorization and Improvement Act would reauthorize the program for $250 million annually for Fiscal Years 2027 through 2031, to ensure necessary resources are delivered to communities.
"Trails, sidewalks, and bikeways connect people together and to the places most important to them. These are active transportation networks that knit communities together, support outdoor recreation, strengthen local economies, and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. It’s just smart infrastructure," said Congressman Pappas. "This legislation would reauthorize a critical federal program that I helped secure in the bipartisan infrastructure law to ensure communities can make strategic investments in this space. I will continue working to pass this legislation and ensure we are improving infrastructure, supporting healthy, vibrant communities, and delivering a 21st-century transportation system to the nation.”
"Americans deserve safer and easier paths to walk and bike in their communities to be active, travel longer distances without relying on cars, and stay connected," said Congressman Huffman. "Supporting our communities with better walking and biking networks is good for people and the planet. Our bill to extend and fund the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP) would provide much-needed federal resources to improve bike lane networks, sidewalks, and multi-use trails across the country.”
“As a recreational cyclist and member of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, I’m proud to cosponsor the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP) Reauthorization Act,” said Congressman Mike Quigley. “Renewing this program will continue the creation of bike routes and park trails throughout Chicago and other cities—connecting our communities in a way everyone can enjoy.”
“The Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program is the only federal program dedicated to establishing safe, connected routes to walk and bike to the places people need to go and it is sorely needed; with $40 requested for every dollar that has been made available. Rep. Pappas’ bill addresses the need for consistent, guaranteed annual investment so that this critical program can deliver mobility, safety and economic benefits on the scale that was intended by Congress in the last federal transportation bill”, says Kevin Mills, Vice President of Policy at Rails to Trails Conservancy.
“The NH Rail Trails Coalition is a strong advocate of extending and maintaining the many NH rail trails for non-motorized transportation and recreation. We work closely with the NH Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Trails seeking grants under the TAP, CMAQ, RTP, GIA, and tax-credit programs but the competitive application process and limited funding usually hinders major projects. The Federal legislation to fund the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP) for $250M each of the next five years would be a tremendous help to our NH efforts to complete the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's vision of connecting all six New England States plus New York,” said Dave Topham, President of NH Rail Trails Coalition. “Let's work together to deliver the mobility, safety and economic benefits on the scale that was intended by Congress in the last federal transportation bill.”
"The Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire strongly supports the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program Reauthorization and Improvement Act. ATIIP helps build connected bike-ped paths that let people bike, walk, or roll safely while improving health, reducing carbon emissions, and creating jobs. In New Hampshire, active transportation infrastructure is underfunded, yet stable, dedicated funding is essential to keep people safe, connect communities, and support both local life and our tourism economy. Reauthorizing and strengthening ATIIP through 2031 will allow New Hampshire communities to plan and build the safe sidewalks, bike lanes, and trails they urgently need, and we urge Congress to pass this bill and keep active transportation central to our national transportation strategy,” said Amanda Gourgue, Executive Director of Bike-Walk Alliance of NH.
"The Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP) is the kind of policy our nation needs to get federal funding flowing to these critical projects—from the Maine-to-Florida East Coast Greenway to similar efforts in Detroit, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, and beyond. We are grateful for Rep. Pappas's leadership in building a path forward by dedicating federal support for transformational greenway planning, design, and construction toward a healthy, sustainable, and thriving future,” said Dennis Markatos-Soriano, East Coast Greenway Alliance Executive Director.
“Across the country, we’re seeing growing demand for more safe and connected places to ride a bike,” said Jenn Dice, president and CEO of PeopleForBikes. “Investments like the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program are essential to meet that demand and unlock healthier, safer communities alongside stronger local economies. We commend Congressman Pappas for his leadership in advancing policies that improve the safety and accessibility of bicycling in communities nationwide.”
This legislation is supported by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, New Hampshire Rail Trails Coalition, Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire, East Coast Greenway Alliance, PeopleForBikes, the League of American Bicyclists, Southern Environmental Law Center, and KABOOM!. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is leading a letter with over 200 signers to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leadership in support of ATIIP.
Background:
Pappas is a longstanding advocate for active transportation infrastructure, which knits communities together, supports recreation, and drives economic development. He introduced the Connecting America's Active Transportation System Act in the 116th and 117th Congresses. Pappas secured its provisions in the bipartisan infrastructure law, which authorized $200 million in annual grants for active transportation projects through Fiscal Year 2026 and is now called ATIIP.