Photo courtesy Rohan Jyothinagaram
In November and December, Sierra Club joined the Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK) to hit Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress on the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, and the specific provisions we hope to see included to ensure active and safe transportation options for kids, youth and families. Over the course of several weeks, we met with offices on both sides of the aisle in the House and Senate to discuss the importance of prioritizing the safety and accessibility of outdoor spaces for kids in this important bill.
The Surface Transportation Reauthorization process — which takes place every 5 years and provides funding for federal highways, bridges, and public transit — is an important opportunity for the federal government to create policies and funding opportunities that support children and families’ safe access to walking, biking, and recreation. Quality time outdoors plays an undeniable role in supporting children’s safety and physical and mental health, and the federal government plays an essential role in supporting these important benefits.
As a leading national alliance of 100+ businesses and nonprofits representing 60+ million people across the U.S., OAK knows firsthand the importance of connecting children, youth and families with access to the outdoors. We also understand significant public health, mental health and safety implications that come from supporting these connections through federal transportation investments.
To deliver on the benefits and promise of connecting children and families to walking, biking and recreation, OAK representatives talked to Members of Congress about following Surface Transportation Reauthorization Priorities:
- Preserve and prioritize the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). The Transportation Alternatives Program (TA) is the largest source of federal funding for walking, biking, and recreating. TA is one of the key funding sources for Safe Routes to School, which supports safe routes for children to walk or bike to school. TA also funds the Recreational Trails Program for recreation access. This funding is currently structured as a 10% set aside within the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBGP) and should retain at least that share and grow along with STBGP. To maximize program effectiveness for Safe Routes to Schools, it needs to be easier for applicants to meet matching fund requirements, harder to transfer funds and encourage larger, highly strategic grants that create safe, connected routes.
- Include the Transit to Trails Act: This legislation would improve transportation access to public park spaces by supporting more public transit connections to these destinations. Our national, state, and local park systems provide communities with centers of economic activity, physical activity, and natural beauty. However, most public transit systems don't easily reach these locations, making it difficult for those without vehicles to access them. Not only would this policy ensure more people can access these parks, it also expands the economic base of the surrounding gateway communities by creating transportation access to the broader region.
- Extend the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant (SS4A) program and other key discretionary grants that support children and families. This program, created in the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, supports local communities by making streets and roads safe for all users. SS4A’s investments have helped create safe, family-oriented infrastructure that help connect children to safe walking and biking to daily destinations such as schools, libraries, shopping and more. Continued funding for SS4A, as well as Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) and the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, will help ensure that communities can continue to plan and invest in children and families.
- Increase Funding for the Federal Lands Transportation Program (FLTP), Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects Program (NSFLTP), and Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP).
- The FLTP supports the maintenance of thousands of miles of transportation infrastructure owned and managed by Federal Land Management Agencies (FLMAs). These agencies rely on the program to fund projects within, adjacent to, or providing access to federal lands, ensuring safe, reliable transportation and public access. This program should be amended to ensure agency needs are reflected in funding allocations.
- The NSFLTP provides funding for FLMAs, Tribes, and states to tackle large-scale infrastructure projects requiring significant, one-time investments. This program should also be amended to ensure that all federal land managers receive appropriate attention.
- The FLAP provides funding to states for projects that improve transportation assets located within, adjacent to, or providing access to federal lands. With national parks and other public lands experiencing record visitation, FLAP plays a critical role in improving roads and facilities that connect communities to these treasured places.
We expect to see the Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill introduced in the first quarter of 2026. Stay tuned for more opportunities to support our advocacy efforts and get engaged. Contact julia.hurwit@sierraclub.org to learn more.