California’s Active Transportation Program (ATP) draws both state and federal funds to provide a total of about $320 million each year for bike and pedestrian projects across California.
The program allows cities, counties, transit agencies and other public agencies to compete for grants to build bicycle/pedestrian paths, install bike racks and pay for other projects or programs that make walking or biking easier, safer and more convenient.
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) administers the Bay Area’s share of ATP money. MTC works with local agencies to help them compete for funding through the statewide program.
MTC has programmed funds from Cycles 1 through 6. Since 2014, $557 million has been awarded to projects in the MTC region through the State and Regional ATP competitions.
Staff Contact
Karl Anderson, Funding Policy and Programs
Phone: (415) 778-6645
Email: kanderson@bayareametro.gov
2023 Active Transportation Program — Cycle 6
The California Transportation Commission adopted the statewide and MTC’s regional guidelines for ATP Cycle 6 and released the call for projects on March 16, 2022. The deadline for applications closed on June 15, 2022. View the list of ATP applications received as of 7/8/2022.
Cycle 6 covers fiscal years 2023/24 through 2026/27. Approximately $853 million is available in the statewide component and $143 million in MTC’s regional component.
MTC adopted the Regional ATP program of projects on January 25, 2023 — see the full program as transmitted to the California Transportation Commission. The California Transportation Commission will consider MTC’s project list on May 17-18, 2023.
Please refer to the CTC ATP webpage for more information regarding the statewide component, quick build pilot program and guidelines.
More Information
For additional resources, visit:
Requirements & Waivers
MTC requires project sponsors seeking regional ATP grants to put up matching funds totaling at least 11.47% of the grant amount.
The match requirement may be waived for projects that benefit low-income communities, communities of color, Safe Routes to School projects or stand-alone non-infrastructure projects. The statewide ATP grant program does not require a local match.
Disadvantaged Communities Requirements
State law requires at least 25% of ATP funds benefit disadvantaged communities.
ABAG and MTC define these Equity Priority Communities (formerly known as Communities of Concern) as those large concentrations of:
- Minority residents
- Household incomes under 200% of the federal poverty level
- Limited English-proficient households
- Zero-vehicle households
- Seniors age 75 or older
- Residents with a disability
- Single-parent families
- Rent-burdened households
View the Equity Priority Communities interactive map.
Partnership
MTC and its Active Transportation Working Group collaborate with county transportation agencies, Bay Area transit agencies, the California Department of Transportation, the California Transportation Commission and others working in active transportation to develop the regional ATP.