Investing in Greenways is essential for safety; Cuts would be costly and harmful

With a record number of Americans riding bicycles in 2024 — including a surge among youth riders — now is the time to make investment in safe, connected trail networks like the East Coast Greenway a national priority.

However, federal funds previously committed to numerous projects supporting the development of the East Coast Greenway are now at risk. Streetsblog USA reports the U.S. Department of Transportation “has ordered officials to stop action on … discretionary grants to build bike lanes and other ‘green infrastructure’ so the agency can review the project for possible removal.”

More than $500 million committed to 100-plus greenway projects is threatened, potentially impacting all 15 East Coast Greenway states and Washington, D.C. Projects that enhance biking safety and boost economic development in rural Maine and initiatives ensuring safe walking routes for children in Georgia demonstrate the range of what could be halted.

According to Transportation for America, up to $51 billion in federal transportation funding is at risk nationwide.

This growing threat comes at a critical moment, as the number of Americans killed while biking and walking continues to rise alongside increased bicycle ridership. Fatalities among cyclists have nearly doubled since 2009, while pedestrian deaths have reached their highest level in 40 years — roughly twice the number recorded 15 years ago.

“If we take safety seriously, we need to invest more in greenways, not less,” East Coast Greenway Alliance Executive Director Dennis Markatos-Soriano said. “Biking is the most efficient way to travel for most trips under five miles in the U.S., but sustained investment is essential to ensure the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.”

Over the past 30 years, bipartisan federal investment, combined with support from local and state governments and private philanthropy, has transformed the national East Coast Greenway into the most visited park in the country. Sixty-five percent of the Greenway route is either complete or in an advanced stage of development.

As states like Maine, Connecticut, North Carolina and Florida increase their investment in greenways, philanthropic support can build on this momentum, helping to connect communities and foster a healthier, more sustainable future. The William Penn Foundation, a longtime and visionary supporter of the East Coast Greenway, is an exemplary model who has invested tens of millions of dollars in projects transforming Greater Philadelphia. 

Completing the entire East Coast Greenway with safe, protected pathways from Maine to Florida requires the same dollar investment it took to build a single bridge – the I-95 Woodrow Wilson Bridge over the Potomac River in metro Washington, D.C. Studies show that the return on investment would be significant – $10 in economic and other benefits for every $1 invested.

Individuals interested in advocating for bipartisan federal investment in active transportation networks are encouraged to contact the U.S. DOT, as well as their U.S. Senators and  Representatives, and voice support for previously funded projects and continued investment. Visit greenway.org/protect for more information and suggested messaging. 

“Now is not the time to roll back promised investments. Delaying these funds will place a significant financial burden on our states and local communities,” Markatos-Soriano said. “Moreover, construction workers rely on these contracts to continue building one of America’s finest parks. Pulling back federal support would be a step backward for our economy, safety and quality of life.”

With the possibility of reduced federal funding for projects in our corridor, the support of individuals and foundations will be crucial in sustaining the East Coast Greenway Alliance’s momentum for making bicycle and pedestrian safety a national priority. Your donation helps ensure the continued development of safe, accessible routes for walking, biking and rolling from Maine to Florida. Contribute today to make a lasting impact!