FTA Program & Bicycle Related Funding Opportunities
Multiple FTA grant programs are able to help cities, towns and rural areas invest in bicycle infrastructure, which improves personal mobility and helps more people access public transportation. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) also provides funding for bicycling (including bikesharing), detailed here.
Metropolitan & Statewide and Nonmetropolitan Transportation Planning
Statue (Title 49): 5303, 5304, 5305
Funding Type: Formula
Eligible Recipients: States, with allocation of funding to Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO
Program Purpose: Provides funding and procedural requirements for multimodal transportation planning in metropolitan areas and states that is cooperative, continuous, and comprehensive, resulting in long-range plans and short-range programs of transportation investment priorities.
Eligible Bicycle Activities: Planning for bicycle facilities in a state or metropolitan transportation network.
Federal Share for Bicycle Activities: Federal share is 80% formula-based with a required 20% non-federal match
Urbanized Area Formula Program
Statue (Title 49): 5307
Funding Type: Formula
Eligible Recipients: FTA apportions funds to designated recipients, which then suballocate funds to state and local governmental authorities, including public transportation providers
Program Purpose: Provides grants to Urbanized Areas (UZA) for public transportation capital, planning, job access and reverse commute projects, as well as operating expenses in certain circumstances. These funds constitute a core investment in the enhancement and revitalization of public transportation systems in the nation’s urbanized areas, which depend on public transportation to improve mobility and reduce congestion.. Consolidates JARC eligible projects.
Eligible Bicycle Activities: Bicycle routes to transit, bike racks, shelters and equipment for public transportation vehicles
Federal Share for Bicycle Activities: Bicycle projects can receive a 95% federal share for the first 1% of program funds in large urbanized areas.
Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grants
Statue (Title 49): 5309
Funding Type: Formula
Eligible Recipients: State and local government agencies, including transit agencies
Program Purpose: Provides grants for new and expanded rail, bus rapid transit, and ferry systems that reflect local priorities to improve transportation options in key corridors
Eligible Bicycle Activities: Bicycle racks, shelters and equipment
Federal Share for Bicycle Activities: Bicycle projects receive a 90% federal share.
Bus and Bus Facilities Formula Grants
Statue (Title 49): 5339
Funding Type: Formula
Eligible Recipients: Designated recipients and states that operate or allocate funding to fixed-route bus operators
Program Purpose: Provides capital funding to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities
Eligible Bicycle Activities: Bicycle routes to transit, bike racks, shelters and equipment for public transportation vehicles
Federal Share for Bicycle Activities: Bicycle projects receive a 90% federal share.
Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities
Statue (Title 49): 5310
Funding Type: Formula
Eligible Recipients: States (for all areas under 200,000 in population) and designated recipients, State DOTs for private non-profit agencies and public agencies that coordinate human service transportation States or local government authorities, private non-profit organizations, or operators of public transportation that receive a grant indirectly through a recipient
Program Purpose: This program is intended to enhance mobility for seniors and persons with disabilities by providing funds for programs to serve the special needs of transit-dependent populations beyond traditional public transportation services and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complementary paratransit services. Consolidates New Freedom eligible projects.
Eligible Bicycle Activities: Bicycle improvements that provide access to an eligible public transportation facility and meet the needs of the elderly and individuals with disabilities
Federal Share for Bicycle Activities: Bicycle projects receive a 80% federal share.
Formula Grants for Rural Areas
Statue (Title 49): 5311
Funding Type: Formula
Eligible Recipients: States, Indian tribes, State DOTs for local rural transit providers, including private non-profits. Subrecipients: State or local government authorities, nonprofit organizations, operators of public transportation
Program Purpose: This program provides capital, planning, and operating assistance to states to support public transportation in rural areas with populations less than 50,000, where many residents often rely on public transit to reach their destinations.
Eligible Bicycle Activities: Bicycle routes to transit, bike racks, shelters and equipment for public transportation vehicles
Federal Share for Bicycle Activities: Bicycle projects receive a 90% federal share.
TOD Planning Pilot Grants
Statue (Title 49): 20005(b) of MAP-21
Funding Type: Discretionary
Eligible Recipients: State and local government agencies
Program Purpose: Provides funding to advance planning efforts that support transit-oriented development (TOD) associated with new fixed-guideway and core capacity improvement projects
Eligible Bicycle Activities: Planning studies that incorporate multimodal connectivity and accessibility or increase access to transit hubs for pedestrian and bicycle traffic
Federal Share for Bicycle Activities: Awarded planning proposals receive a 80% federal share.