Active Transportation Program
California’s Active Transportation Program (ATP) taps state and federal funds to support programs that make walking and biking better travel options for Bay Area residents.
MTC works hard to increase walking and biking options across our region — so that more people can make more trips without using a car.
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.
Active Transportation Program — Cycle 8
The next funding opportunity from the ATP is now accepting applications. The California Transportation Commission (CTC) approved the final statewide and MTC’s regional guidelines for ATP Cycle 8 on March 19, 2026, with the Call for Projects released immediately thereafter.
Cycle 8 covers fiscal years 2027-28 through 2030-31. Approximately $310 million will be available in the statewide component and $53 million in MTC’s regional component. The deadline for applications is June 22, 2026. Please refer to the CTC ATP webpage for the statewide application material and the latest information. View the regional component application.
Technical Assistance Resources
To better support Bay Area jurisdictions for ATP Cycle 8, MTC held a series of application technical assistance workshops this spring. Workshop materials and recordings of each session are available. If you are a Bay Area jurisdiction staff member and would like access to the technical assistance material, please contact MTC staff (details below).
Additionally, MTC staff are offering to review and provide feedback on your final draft application. If you are interested, please send Karl Anderson a copy of your draft application by May 4, 2026. MTC and the technical assistance consultant will provide comments on a first-come, first-served basis.
Staff Contact
Karl Anderson
Phone: 415-778-6645
Email: kanderson@bayareametro.gov
Active Transportation Program History
MTC administers the Bay Area’s share of ATP money. We work with local agencies to help them compete for funding through the statewide program.
MTC has programmed funds from Cycles 1 through 7. Since 2014, $571 million has been awarded to projects in the MTC region through the State and Regional ATP competitions - view details on these projects.
More Information
See the Related Documents section of this page for program documents and guidelines, and refer to the Caltrans ATP web page for additional information.
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 interested members of the public to develop the regional ATP.
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.
State law requires at least 25% of ATP funds benefit disadvantaged communities.
MTC defines these Equity Priority Communities 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 an interactive map of where the Equity Priority Communities (formerly known as Communities of Concern) are located.