The federal Transportation Enhancements (TE) program funds 12 different types of transportation-related activities. Activity 2, known in law as “Provision of safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists,” allows communities to promote nonmotorized transport through safety and educational programs. These programs encourage healthful physical activity and reduce traffic related injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists.  Since the TE program began in 1992, approximately 1 percent of available TE funds have been programmed for pedestrian and bicyclist safety and educational projects.

Eligible Projects

Working within Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidelines, each state Department of Transportation (DOT) determines the eligibility of TE projects for funding. Examples of projects that may be considered eligible include:

► Non-construction safety-related activities, such as a safety promotional campaigns;
► Bicycle and pedestrian safety training;
► Training materials such as videotapes, brochures, and maps;
► Rent for leased space and limited/short-term staff salaries.

Examples of Successful Projects

Pre-Teen Pedalers Program

A boy in the BEEP program

Pre-teen Pedalers Program, Louisiana. The “Pre-teen Pedalers” program brought bike safety and education classes to elementary school children in Lafayette Parish over a five-year period. The courses included both classroom instruction and on-bike practice. A $142,616 TE award funded the acquisition of materials, handouts, equipment, and the labor of certified bike safety teachers. The labor of school staff was used to meet the matching requirement. Contact: State TE manager, Louisiana DOT, 225-379-1585.

BEEP Program, Pennsylvania.  The Philadelphia School District used $424,000 in TE funds for the Bicycle Education Enhancement Program (BEEP) at middle schools and high schools in the district. The BEEP program consisted of three components: (1) installing bike racks and distributing safety pamphlets, helmets and locks; (2) developing an integrated bicycle education curriculum as part of the existing physical education program; and (3) establishing a program of mini-grants for after-school bicycle clubs. Contact: Director of Health and Safety Administration, School District of Philadelphia, 215-875-3337. 

Visit http://www.enhancements.org/library/index.asp for additional project examples.

Federal Guidance

Projects that use TE funds must qualify as one or more of the 12 designated activities and relate to surface transportation in order to meet basic federal eligibility requirements. The FHWA TE Guidance stipulates that “Bicycle safety and education activities” must be accessible to the general public or targeted to a broad segment of the general public and should occur for a definitive period, such as an education campaign that runs for several months. Visit www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/TE for a full copy of the Guidance.

Financing TE Projects

Most states require TE project sponsors to provide at least 20 percent of project costs, also referred to as “matching funds.” In many states, the value of donated property, materials, and services; the labor of state and local government employees; and the costs of preliminary engineering may count towards the matching requirement. Federal, non-DOT funds can often be used as matching funds. Check with your state TE manager whether these “innovative financing options” are available in your state. Additional funds for this activity may come  from a variety of sources such as state health agencies or other state agencies, local governments, schools, businesses, foundations, service and nonprofit organizations or other federal programs. Visit www.enhancements.org/fundingsources.asp for links to specific grant programs.

Related Resources

► FHWA Bicycle and Pedestrian Program:
    www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped or 202-366-0134
► FHWA Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program:
    http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/ped_bike.htmor 202-366-8044
► FHWA Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Research Program:
    http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/research/topics/safety/pedbike/
► National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
    www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/ped/pedbike.html
►  Walk to School Week: www.walktoschool-usa.org
► The Bicycle and Pedestrian Information Center: www.pedbikeinfo.org or 919-262-2203
► America Walks: www.americawalks.org or 617-367-1160
► America Bikes: www.americabikes.org or 202-833-8080
► Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Nutrition & Physical Activity:
     www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/
► The National Center for Bicycling and Walking: www.bikewalk.org or 301-656-4220

To Get Started

Inquiries about the TE application process should be directed to the TE manger at your state DOT. Visit www.enhancements.org/contacts.asp for TE manager contact information.