AB 2168: Active Transportation Program: guidelines.

Existing law establishes the Active Transportation Program in the Department of Transportation for the purpose of encouraging increased use of active modes of transportation, such as biking and walking. Existing law requires the California Transportation Commission to develop guidelines with regard to project eligibility that include, among other project types, safe routes to transit projects that will encourage transit by improving biking and walking routes to mass transportation facilities and schoolbus stops.

This bill would would, on and after January 1, 2028, instead require the guidelines with regard to project eligibility to include projects for safe routes to transit projects that encourage access to transit facilities and schoolbus stops by biking and walking, as specified, and projects that will expand access to transit in underserved or rural areas.

Existing law requires the commission to develop guidelines with regard to project selection that include, among other criteria, identification of walking and bicycling routes to and from schools, transit facilities, and community centers.

This bill would would, on and after January 1, 2028, require the guidelines with regard to project selection to also include as criteria recommendations to maximize commitments of state transportation improvement program funds to projects funded by the program.

This bill would would, on and after January 1, 2028, require the commissions guidelines to include a progressive range of penalties for an applicant that failed to use previously received program funds in a timely manner, as specified.