Navigating MAP-21 
Campaign Strategy | Get Involved | Webinars | Resources

OUR STRATEGY
Advocacy Advance, working with our partner organizations in the America Bikes Coalition, is committed to ensuring that states and local governments use every opportunity in the new law to increase the safety and convenience of biking and walking.
We have identified contacts in each state to coordinate efforts around the country and track each state’s plan for implementing MAP-21. If you are an individual or a local group interested in supporting the MAP-21 campaign efforts, please email your state lead directly.
Together, we can maximize biking and walking investments -- both under MAP-21's new Transportation Alternatives program and the larger core transportation and safety funds.
How do we get there? We expect every state to:
1) Fully fund, staff, and implement the new Transportation Alternatives program.
- Fully fund: Do not transfer any funds away from Transportation Alternatives or opt-out of the Recreational Trails program
- Fully staff: Preserve or increase staff support for Transportation Alternatives by maintaining state Safe Routes to School coordinators and bike/ped coordinators
- Fully implement: Promptly award Transportation Alternatives grants with participation of relevant stakeholders
2) Fully maximize the state's investments in safe, accessible streets.
- Utilize all MAP-21 funding programs -- including HSIP, CMAQ, STP, and Section 402 -- to include biking and walking in all transportation projects
3) Fully spend remaining funds from the Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, and Recreational Trails programs.
Click on the links above for one-page descriptions of each ask. We are coordinating our efforts for the best results in every state. See below for information on your state contact and a suite of tools and resources to help advocates ensure that states and communities take full advantage of MAP-21. With your help and dedication over the coming weeks and months, the national renaissance in biking and walking will continue in communities all across the country. Thank you for all that you do for biking and walking.
GET INVOLVED
We have identified contacts in each state to coordinate efforts around the country and track each state’s plan for implementing MAP-21. These contacts will lead their state-wide effort – often in coordination with other partners – to encourage DOTs to fully fund, staff and implement Transportation Alternatives; use all available eligibility in MAP-21; and spend down SAFETEA-LU funds.
The list of state contacts is available here. If there is not a lead identified for your state or contact information listed, you can contact info@AdvocacyAdvance.org, and we will assist with your efforts.
If you are an individual or a local group interested in supporting the MAP-21 campaign efforts, please email the state lead listed in the contact list first. They are informed about the most up-to-date information, your state’s unique circumstances, the advocacy campaign priorities and how you can plug in. They are your conduits for action.
Get involved! Contact your State Lead here.
For State Leads
Navigating MAP21: Transportation Alternatives Advocacy Toolkit (updated 9/23/12)
WEBINARS
UPCOMING WEBINARS
TBA
PREVIOUS WEBINARS
Click on the webinar titles for a recording of the presentation.
Understanding and Shaping Transportation Performance Measures, Part II: Current Data Collection Methods and Exploring What's Possible (May 14, 2013)
This webinar series explores the implications of the new performance measure requirements in MAP-21. How will performance measures impact bicycling and walking investments? Can they work in favor for active transportation? What should be measured? What can be measured? Panelists: Robert Ritter, Acting Safety Team Leader, Office of the Secretary of Transportation; Caron Whitaker, Vice President of Government Relations, League of American Bicyclists
Slides from the Presentation - Charles Denney, Alta Planning + Design (PDF)
Slides from the Presentation - Tony Hull, Toole Design Group (PDF)
Slides from the Presentation - Jean-Francois Rheault, Eco-Counter (PDF)
Understanding and Shaping Transportation Performance Measures, Part I: Federal Context and Perspectives (April 23, 2013)
Slides from the Presentation - Robert Ritter (PDF)
Slides from the Presentation - Caron Whitaker (PDF)
MAP-21 and the National Bike Summit (February 19, 2013)
Gear up for the National Bike Summit, March 4-6. Learn how to make the most of the Summit to support your MAP-21 implementation efforts.
Slides from the Presentation (PDF)
Tracking Data on Bicycling and Walking Investments (January 29, 2013)
Maximizing bicycling and walking investments requires a great understanding of the many ways in which these investments are funded. Join this webinar to learn about Advocacy Advance tools that can illuminate sources of funding outside of Transportation Alternatives and about what is being done to track bicycle funding. Panelists: Ken McLeod, Legal Specialist, Advocacy Advance; Andrea Milne, Benchmarking Project Manager, Alliance for Biking & Walking; Renata Silberblatt, staff analyst, Tri-State Transportation Campaign.
Slides from the Presentation (PDF)
How Metropolitan Planning Organizations Plan for and Fund Bicycling and Walking Investments (December 18, 2012)
The new transportation bill, MAP-21, gives Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) more responsibility for distributing federal transportation funds. MPOs serving areas with more than 200,000 residents are required to use a competitive process to select projects for funding through the Transportation Alternatives (TA) program. Join this webinar to learn best practices from Advocacy Advance’s Bike-Ped Friendly MPO Working Group to effectively integrate bicycling and walking needs into the MPO planning and funding process under MAP-21. Webinar speakers: Mitch Barloga, Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission; Brent Buice, Georgia Bikes!; Darren Flusche, League of American Bicyclists; and Leslie Meehan, Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Slides from the Presentation (PDF)
Guidance on Guidance: How the USDOT's interpretation of MAP-21 affects your state and region (November 28, 2012)
After Congress passes a transportation bill, it's up to the U.S. Department of Transportation to figure out how the law should be interpreted — and release "guidance" for your state department of transportation to follow. On this Navigating MAP-21 webinar, Caron Whitaker, League Vice President of Government Relations, and Darren Flusche, League Director of Policy, will explain the importance of the recently released guidance, as well as the good and bad news for bicyclists.
Slides from the Presentation (PDF)
Q&A (PDF)
Maximizing Eligibility for Bicycling and Walking Projects under MAP-21 (September 26, 2012)
States have a lot of flexibility in how they spend their transportation funds. Bicycling and walking projects can be built using funds intended for safety, congestion mitigation and air quality, and general transportation purposes. This webinar shared examples of how advocates have taken advantage of the full range of transportation programs. Presenters include Blake Trask, Statewide Policy Director at the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, James Wilson, Executive Director of Bike Delaware and Caron Whitaker, Campaign Director at America Bikes.
Slides from the Presentation (PDF)
Q&A (PDF)
Read more about Washington's HSIP Campaign (PDF, American Bicyclist Magazine Jan/Feb 2013)
Winning Bike Funding under Transportation Alternatives (September 5, 2012)
Transportation Alternatives is a critical component of the new federal transportation law: MAP-21. Already advocates are working successfully with their state departments of transportation to ensure that the new TA program is implemented in a way that benefits bicycling. Facilitated by Darren Flusche, Policy Director for the League of American Bicyclists, this webinar explored successful advocacy from Ron Burke, Executive Director of the Active Transportation Alliance in Chicago, Ed Barsotti, Executive Director of the League of Illinois Bicyclists, and Tim Young, League Board Member and Executive Director of Wyoming Bicycle & Trails Association.
Slides from the Presentation (PDF)
Questions and Answers (PDF)
Navigating MAP-21: The Safe Routes to School Edition (August 27, 2012)
Building on the Navigating MAP-21 series, this webinar focused specifically on the impact of the new transportation law on Safe Routes to School, and what you can do to ensure that Safe Routes to School survives and thrives in your community and state. Presenters included Margo Pedroso, deputy director, and Robert Ping, technical assistance director, from the Safe Routes to School National Partnership.
Slide from Margo Pedroso (PDF)
Slides from Robert Ping (PDF)
Questions & Answers (PDF)
The ABCs of MAP-21(August 13, 2012)
The first of the Navigating MAP-21 webinar series, this session explained the basics of the new law, what it means for bicyclists and how we can harness the opportunities to fund biking and walking projects and programs. Presented by Caron Whitaker, campaign manager for America Bikes; Randy Neufeld, director of SRAM Cycling Fund; and Darren Flusche, policy director for the League of American Bicyclists and Advocacy Advance.
Slides from the Presentation (PDF)
Questions & Answers (PDF)
ADDITIONAL WEBINARS
- Moving Ahead for Progress? Opportunties for Communities in the Wake of MAP-21 (Alta Planning, PDF) Overview webinar presented by Jeff Olson, Alta Planning + Design, and Andy Clarke, League of American Bicyclists
- Federal Transportation Policy Briefing -- July 19, 2012 (America Bikes, URL) In this webinar, Caron Whitaker, campaign manager for America Bikes, reviewed the basic structure of Transportation Alternatives, summarized the changes to other programs in MAP-21 and their implications for biking and walking funding, and discussed next steps for advocates and practitioners.
RESOURCES
GENERAL
Federal Highway Administration resources
Federal Transit Administration
Transportation Issues Daily
FROM ADVOCACY ADVANCE & AMERICA BIKES PARTNERS
- Overall analysis of the transportation bill (America Bikes, URL)
- MAP-21 Funding Flowchart (America Bikes, PDF): This diagram shows the distribution of funds to state, MPO and local agencies.
- Overview of Transportation Alternatives Program (Advocacy Advance, PDF): Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-‐21) retains funding for biking and walking in a renamed and restructured program. This sheet discusses changes to the programs and how to access funds under the new law.
- Transportation Alternatives Advocacy Toolkit (Advocacy Advance, PDF): This toolkit - created by Advocacy Advance, America Bikes and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership and intended for Navigating MAP-21 state leads - provides materials that advocacy organizations can use to ensure state DOTs take full advantage of the potential bicycling and walking funds in MAP-21.
"Understanding the Transportation Alternatives Campaign" One-Pagers:
Funding Program Flow Charts: These infographics show how federal dollars flow from congress to your community in MAP-21, and advocacy tips for each stage of the process.
- Transportation Alternatives Program (TA) Download PDF
- Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ) Download PDF
- Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Download PDF
- Surface Transportation Program (STP) Download PDF
METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS (MPO)
Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) with populations of more than 200,000, known as Transportation Management Areas (TMA), will run their own competitive grant process for Transportation Alternatives funding. Click here for a list of these MPOs.
- How Metropolitan Planning Organizations Plan for and Fund Bicycling and Walking Investments (Advocacy Advance, PDF): Developed by Advocacy Advance's Bike/Ped-Friendly MPO Working Group, this resource identifies best practices to effectively integrate bicycling and walking needs into the MPO planning and funding process in general, and related to the competitive grant program in particular.
- Maximizing MAP-21 for Complete Streets in Georgia (Georgia Bikes, PDF): Presentation from Brent Buice, Executive Director of Georgia Bikes! for the Georgia Association of MPOs (GAMPO) meeting November 29-30 2012.
MPO Transportation Alternatives Program Template Application (Transportation for America)
- Sample Transportation Alternatives Program Competitive Grant Application
- Project Scoring Criteria
- Project Scoring Sheet
Thank you to the Advocacy Advance Bike/Ped-Friendly MPO Working Group:
- Mitch Barloga, Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (Portage, IN)
- Aaron Bartlett, Mid-America Regional Council (Kansas City, MO)
- Ann Chanecka, Pima Association of Governments and City of Tucson (Tucson, AZ)
- Sandy Fry, Capitol Region Council of Governments (Hartford, CT)
- David Henderson, Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization
- Dan Jatres, New Orleans Regional Planning Commission
- Leslie Meehan, Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
- Tom Murtha, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
- Byron Rushing, Atlanta Regional Commission
- Gabe Thum, Pima Association of Governments (Tucson, AZ)
The Association of Metropolitcan Planning Organizations (AMPO) has a sampling of bike-ped MPO best practices is located here.
FUNDING TABLES
Funding tables for Transportation Alternatives (FHWA)
- Transportation Alternatives Program, including Sub-allocations (Table 2)
- Transportation Alternatives Program - Urbanized Areas with Populations over 200,000 (Table 3)
How will Transportation Alternatives funding compare to past bike/ped funding for my state?
- Comparison: FY 2012 (TE, SRTS, Rec Trails) to FY 2013 and 2014 Transportation Alternatives (America Bikes, Safe Routes to School National Partnership)
- Comparison: Total FY 2012 dedicated bike/ped funding to FY 2013 Transportation Alternatives (League)
Current status of dedicated bike funds
- Safe Routes to School (Safe Routes to School National Partnership)
- Transportation Enhancements as of 9/31/2011 (Federal Highway Administration)
- Recreational Trails Program as of 9/31/2011 (Federal Highway Administration)
Funding tables for other federal programs
- Change in funds apportioned to the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), FY 2012 to 2013 (Advocacy Advance)
FEDERAL FUNDING - GENERAL
- Find It Fund It Table (Advocacy Advance) This table indicates potential eligibility for pedestrian and bicycle projects under federal highway and transit programs. In each case there are specific requirements that must be met within eligibility criteria and eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
- Key Data Sources (Advocacy Advance) Federal Investments in Bicycling and Walking in Your Community. This resource provides a list, summary and links to 11 sources of funding data.
- A Primer on Federal Funding for Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects (Advocacy Advance, PDF) This resource provides a brief overview of federal bike / ped spending. It outlines the questions to ask to answer the who, what, when, why, and how of federal funding for your local projects.
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Federal Funding Resources List (Advocacy Advance, PDF) List of resources gathered by Advocacy Advance to learn more about federal funding for bike/ped programs and projects.
- Improving the Process: How Statewide Advocacy Organizations Are Winning Federal Dollars for Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects (Advocacy Advance, PDF) This report lists the steps that statewide organizations have taken to improve the project selection processes for federal funding programs.
- Developing a Successful Funding Campaign (Advocacy Advance, PDF) This resource will help walk you through the elements of developing a funding campaign, using examples from Bike Delaware, Active Transportation Alliance and New Jersey Bike + Walk Coalition.
For more federal funding program resources, visit our Resources page.
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