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.
ATP promotes frequent, safer trips by bike and foot to increase public health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Funded projects benefit many types of users, including disadvantaged communities.
Staff Contact
Karl Anderson, Funding Policy and Programs
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 6. Since 2014, $557 million has been awarded to projects in the MTC region through the State and Regional ATP competitions - view details on these projects.
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
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.