Future of US Trails at Risk as Congress Debates Infrastructure Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 02, 2026 – A broad coalition of over 1,100 organizations spanning manufacturing, healthcare, tourism, and retail has delivered a stark warning to Congress: the future of America’s walking and biking infrastructure is in jeopardy. As lawmakers prepare to draft the nation's next major surface transportation bill, these groups are mounting a unified defense of federal programs they say are essential for public safety, economic vitality, and community well-being.

In a letter sent today to the leaders of key transportation committees in the House and Senate, a united front of advocacy groups including the Rails to Trails Conservancy, the League of American Bicyclists, and the American Hiking Society argued that decades of progress are at risk. They warn that a potential legislative pivot back toward a car-centric funding model could defund the very programs that have built tens of thousands of miles of trails and safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists across the country.

A Legislative Crossroads

Congress faces a critical deadline. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the landmark legislation that has governed federal transportation spending since 2021, is set to expire on September 30, 2026. Before then, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee must draft and pass a new multi-year authorization bill.

At the heart of the debate is the future of the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and similar funding streams. First established in 1991, this program has been the primary federal mechanism for investing in active transportation. According to advocates, TAP has been instrumental in the development of over 42,500 miles of multiuse trails and countless projects to create safe walking and biking routes nationwide. These projects, found in every state, are not just recreational amenities but are increasingly viewed as critical transportation corridors.

However, the coalition warns of “strong indicators” that these programs are on the chopping block. Some Congressional leaders have reportedly expressed a desire for a more “traditional” transportation bill, harkening back to an era before 1991 when federal funds were almost exclusively dedicated to roads and bridges for vehicles. This sentiment is amplified by calls from groups like the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) to consolidate and potentially diminish the spending power of these dedicated active transportation funds.

A Matter of Life and Death

The fight over funding is not merely a matter of policy preference; for many, it is a matter of life and death. An average of 20 people are killed while walking in the United States every day, and pedestrians and cyclists together account for a disproportionate and rising share of the nearly 40,000 annual traffic fatalities. Advocates argue that these grim statistics are a direct consequence of infrastructure designed without the safety of vulnerable road users in mind.

“When we build bicycle-friendly communities, we make life better for every resident,” said Bill Nesper, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists. He notes that polling shows 76% of Americans want safer and more comfortable bicycling in their communities. “It is critical these investments continue, rather than stall progress communities have been making for decades.”

The Safe Routes Partnership, which focuses on making it safer for children to walk and bike to school, echoed the urgency.

“Every day, Safe Routes Partnership sees how sidewalks, crossings and bike paths, especially around schools, improve life for children and families,” stated Marisa Jones, the organization’s Managing Director. “Federal investments in walking and biking infrastructure are foundational to kids' health, safety and opportunity. We urge Congress to protect and strengthen these investments in the next transportation bill.”

The $34 Billion Economic Engine

Beyond the critical safety implications, the coalition is making a powerful economic case for continued investment. The active transportation economy—a sector encompassing everything from bicycle manufacturing and retail to trail-side tourism and hospitality—contributes more than $34 billion to the U.S. economy annually. According to the Rails to Trails Conservancy, this yearly return on investment already dwarfs the total federal funding provided through the Transportation Alternatives program over its entire 34-year history.

Ryan Chao, President of the Rails to Trails Conservancy, emphasized the immense potential for growth. “The potential to quadruple these benefits by increasing connectivity is why so many sectors, from manufacturing to retail, are joining us in calling on Congress to support federal programs that states rely on to build active transportation infrastructure,” he said. “When we invest in connecting active transportation routes, we invest in robust regional economies and job growth, increased mobility, and new opportunities for businesses and residents.”

This sentiment is shared by the bicycle industry. Chris Bell, Director of Federal Policy for PeopleForBikes, called the investments a clear win. “When we invest in biking and walking infrastructure, we are investing in saving lives, expanding mobility, improving public health, and growing local economies,” Bell stated. “Communities of all cities recognize that this is a smart investment.”

A 30-Year Legacy Under Threat

The current system of funding represents a 30-year bipartisan consensus that transportation is about more than just cars. This approach began with the landmark Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991, which first mandated that a portion of federal funds be set aside for “Transportation Enhancements,” including bike paths and walkways.

Advocates fear that abandoning this principle would not only halt future progress but also undermine the vitality of existing infrastructure. “For 30 years, the Transportation Alternatives program has been a backbone of American infrastructure, delivering 42,500 miles of trails to 63 million hikers,” said Heather Klein Olson, Executive Director of the American Hiking Society. “These aren't just scenic routes—they are vital transportation arteries that connect our daily lives.”

Mike Passo, Executive Director of American Trails, stressed that these projects are not optional luxuries. “Trail infrastructure that serves walkers and riders of all kinds are not optional amenities—they are essential public investments that save lives, strengthen local economies, and connect people to opportunity,” he argued. “Rolling back investments in trails and active transportation would put lives at risk and undermine the vitality of communities large and small across the country.”

As draft legislation is expected to emerge from Congressional committees in the coming weeks, the 1,100 signatories on the letter are hoping their collective voice is heard. Their message is clear: protecting and fortifying the programs that fund walking and biking is a direct investment in a safer, healthier, and more economically resilient America.