ABC's OF BICYCLE FUNDING
A Guidebook Prepared by the
Marin County Bicycle Coalition
February 26, 2002 --Third Draft
Marin County Bicycle Coalition
P.O. Box 35
San Anselmo, CA 94979
www.marinbike.org
phone/fax: (415) 456-3469
Executive Director: Debbie Hubsmith
The MCBC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to "promote bicycling for everyday transportation and recreation." We are supported by individual memberships, donations, grants, contacts, and sales of our Marin Bicycle Map. All donations are tax-deductible.
Table of Contents
Important Players in the Funding Process
Transportation Funds for Livable Communities
State Bicycle Transportation Account
Transportation Funds for Clean Air Program (TFCA)
Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3
Safe Routes to School
State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)
Bay Trails
Sales Tax
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ)
Surface Transportation Program (STP)
Transportation Enhancements
Marin County Board of Supervisors
Please feel free to reproduce any or all contents of this Guide. Please send comments or suggestions to Debbie Hubsmith at debhub@igc.org or by fax at (415) 445-9344. Thank you.
Important Players in the Funding Process:
Cities: If you want to get funding for a bicycle or pedestrian project in your town, you need to start with your city. It is important that you identify specifically what you would you like to see funded (or have a few projects that you are interested in). Call you cityís public works director or city manager (after hopefully getting an OK from your townís BPAC to move forward). Try to set up a meeting to talk with the Public Works Director about drafting a grant application for your specific project. Detail what funding source(s) you think would fund your project. Bring maps and as much information to the meeting as possible. Hopefully, Public Works will be receptive to your proposal. It is also a good idea to go to city council meetings to express your interest in having the city actively improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities. We recommend that each BPAC have from 1-2 members at each city council meeting (other than BPAC members who are on the city council). Often times there are items on the agenda that you may not be aware about that do affect bicycling and/or pedestrian corridors. Some such items include road repavings, or development projects (which could include bicycle lanes as a condition for development.) To get an item on the agenda for a council meeting you will need to contact a city council member (but you can also always speak during open time, if youíre not on the agenda). Always be polite, and send thank you notes after any meetings or important phone conversations. It's important to build a positive relationship with your city, and to remember that they also need to maintain the road system.
Congestion Management Agency (CMA): The CMA is Marinís countywide agency that is responsible for preparing and implementing a Congestion Management Program. This group consists of 12 representatives: one from each city, and one from the County (Supervisor Kinsey, who serves as Chair). The CMA is extremely important, as almost all projects for funding must get their blessing before the applications can move through the regional, state, or federal funding process. CMAs came into existence as a result of state legislation and voterís approval of Prop. 111 in 1990. The CMA generally meets on the 4th Thursday of each month in the Supervisors Chambers at the Civic Center. Members of the MCBC are at all CMA meetings, but we encourage members of the public to attend as well.
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC): MTC is the transportation planning, financing, and coordinating agency for the nine Bay Area counties that touch San Francisco Bay. All Federal funding comes through MTC. This agency is also responsible for creating a 20 year Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) that is updated every two years. The recent RTP, approved last fall is for $88.5 billion dollars (bicycles and pedestrians are only written in to have 0.5% of the funding). Fortunately, the RTP can be amended at any time. Supervisor Kinsey is Marinís representative that serves on the MTC Board of Directors. MTC funds BART, mass transit, highways, bike/ped projects, etc. MTC recently adopted a Regional Bicycle Plan, but provided no funding to implement that plan.
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21): TEA-21 is federal legislation that passed through Congress in May of 1998, and was signed by President Clinton in June of 1998. This legislation retains and expands many of the programs created in 1999 under ISTEA, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act. TEA-21 funds transportation projects from 1998-2003. Before ISTEA in 1991, almost no money was available for bike/ped projects. Currently, most of the funds though TEA-21 have been expended. Congress will likely re-authorize TEA-21 in 2003; advocates are calling this TEA3. There are hearings taking place during 2002 for TEA3 which will largely determine how much funding is available for bicycle projects through 2009.
FUNDING SOURCES
Transportation Funds for Livable Communities (TLC):
Amount: $9 million/annually available on a competitive basis through the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for all 9 Bay Area counties for capital projects. Funds are also available on a competitive basis for TLC Planning Grants.
Source: |
TEA-21, and 11.5% local match is required. |
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Deadlines: |
Capital projects: March 29, 2002 |
Type of Funding: Capital and planning grants are available to support a communityís development or redevelopment activities, enhance a communities identity, and increase overall quality of life. The project should result from a collaborative and inclusive planning process. (Typically, they have funded projects around transit stations. For example, they provided $200,000 for a downtown San Anselmo revitalization at the Hub that is going on now; TLC also provided $550,000 for the new 'Mahon Path' in San Rafael that connects the Bicycle lanes on Andersen Drive with the Transit Center from Andersen Drive.)
Note: The TLC program is an innovative new program started by MTC. It is a good program, however, it is unfortunate that the $9 million in funding that has been allocated has been taken in part ($4 million/year) from the Transportation Enhancements program which was designed by the Federal Government to be the largest source of funding for bike projects.
Contact: |
Ashley Nguyen, MTC TLC Program Manager |
State Bicycle Transportation Account
Amount: $7.2 million statewide annually
Deadline: June 1, 2002: Call for projects in March 2002
Eligible: Caltrans administers this statewide discretionary program. Eligible projects include: bicycle paths, lane or route construction and maintenance, lockers, racks on transit vehicles, planning and safety education. Cities which apply MUST have a State-approved bicycle plan. You must submit your bike plan in advance of your grant application to the Bicycle Coordinator at Caltrans.
Contact: |
Ken McGuire, Caltrans Bicycle Coordinator: (916) 653-2750 |
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David Priebe, Caltrans Bicycle Facilities Unit: (916) 653-0036 |
Note: This account was increased from $1 million/year to $7.2 million/year through legislation that was sponsored by the California Bicycle Coalition (www.calbike.org).
Transportation Funds for Clean Air Program (TFCA)
Amount: |
Approximately $350,000 for Marin annually (40% program) |
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Deadline: |
40% Program (Contact County DPW): Projects due to the County of Marin by April 4, 2002. |
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60% Program: Projects are due to BAAQMD by June 28, 2002 |
Eligible: Bike programs, ridesharing, clean fuel buses, traffic management, and rail/bus integration projects
Process:40% Funds are administered by our Marin CMA. There is a formula that must be used to show the amount of pollution that is spared from the air, based on vehicle miles saved and the length of trips. The 60% funds are administered directly through the Air District. School districts, cities, counties and public agencies can apply.
Contact: Bay Area Air Quality Management District: Dave Burch for bicycle projects: (415) 749-4641, dburch@baaqmd.gov; http://www.baaqmd.gov
Note: The funds are ìreimbursementî funds: jurisdictions that are approved must front the funding to do the work; they get paid after they submit a final report that is approved.
Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 Funds:
Amount: About $200,000 annually in Marin
Deadline: Varies. Usually a 'call for projects' is in October
Eligible: Bicycle and pedestrian facilities, safety programs, planning
Process: A letters is sent asking the cities for projects. Cities submit requests and two bodies make the funding recommendation (the County Bikeways Committee and the Public Works Association of all the DPW directors in Marin). This recommendation then goes to the CMA for approval. It then goes to MTC for final approval.
Contact: Art Brook, County of Marin, 499-6752, or Berenice Davidson (County Bicycle Coordinator), 499-6570; Also contact your city.
Safe Routes to School:
Amount available: Approximately $20 million statewide (available on a competitive basis)
Deadline: May, 2002:http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms
Source: The Safe Routes to School funding comes from the Hazard Elimination Safety (HES) Safety Set-Aside program of TEA-21. One third of the money is now being designated for safe routes to schools (bicycle, pedestrian and traffic calming projects). This program will provide approximately $70 million in funding over the next 3 years.
Match: Like all TEA-21 federal funds, an 11.5% local match is required
Need: For almost all capital grants, engineering documents, community support, timelines, cost estimates and right-of-ways must already be established. The program also requires local community support.
State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP):
Notes:The STIP traditionally has focused on larger projects such as highway widenings and transit line extensions. However, bicycle and pedestrian projects are eligible for STIP funding, and in 2001 Marin allocated 3% of STIP funds for bicycle and pedestrian projects.
Due to the State budget deficit, STIP funds are currently 'on-hold' for approximately 3 years. This is causing hardship for many cities which were counting on the funds for programmed projects From the Caltrans Website, STIP programming generally occurs every two years. The programming cycle begins with the release of a proposed fund estimate in July of odd-numbered years, followed by California Transportation Commission (CTC) adoption of the fund estimate in August (odd years). The fund estimate serves to identify the amount of new funds available for the programming of transportation projects. Once the fund estimate is adopted, Caltrans and the regional planning agencies prepare transportation improvement plans for submittal by December 15th (odd years). Caltrans prepare the Interregional Transportation Improvement Plan (ITIP) and regional agencies prepare Regional Transportation Improvement Plans (RTIPs). Public hearings are held in January (even years) in both northern and southern California. The STIP is adopted by the CTC by April (even years). This process, as well as the fund distribution process are outlined in charts available on the Transportation Programming website http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/transprog.
If Prop 42 passes voter approval on March 5, it will allocate 40% of the funding to STIP projects which are programmed by local counties. Prop 40 would permanently dedicate gas tax funding to transportation projects.
Bay Trails Project through ABAG:
Amount: In 2000-2001, the Bay Trails Project had funding to expend for planning and construction along the Bay Trail, which is planned to circle San Francisco and San Pablo Bays. These funds were created through a voter initiative. In the future, there may be competitive funds available, but currently, our understanding is that their allocated funds have been expended, save small amounts of discretionary funds for projects that have already been started.
Contact: Laura Thompson, Bay Trails Project, (510) 464-7909
Proposed Sales Tax:
Amount: |
Approximately $400 million over 20 years for a ‡ cent sales tax. |
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Process: |
This was Measures A & B in 1998. |
Money for Bikes/Peds: In 1998, bike/ped projects were allocated approximately $15 million for bicycle and pedestrian projects; this was approximately 4% of the overall $300 million budget. Now that the County of Marin and individual cities have completed bike/ped plans, we can expect to get a larger percentage. The Marin County Bicycle and Pedestrian plans, when implemented, should carry 20% of Marinís transportation trips. In addition, school trips currently represent 21% of morning traffic (reference: Marin CMA). Funding in any proposed Sales Tax should provide funds for bicycle/pedestrian projects and for Safe Routes to Schools (program operations and capital). It is important to note that the Sales Tax would be the best source of funding for large projects like the tunnels. Most of the grant sources do not provide large enough grants to open the tunnels.
Importance: These funds make us a 'self-help' county and provide the local match needed for all the TEA-21 and other federal funds. This could be the single best chance for big money to come to Marin for bicycle and pedestrian projects.
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ):
Amount: These funds are part of TEA-21 are have been expended. The next CMAQ cycle will be when TEA-21 is reauthorized.
What the funds can be used for: Projects that improve air quality in three categories: 1) Traffic flow (upgrade signal timing, turn pockets), 2) Transit improvements, 3) Other modes to get people out of cars (bicycle projects, park and ride lots, etc). The bike activities typically funded include: access to transit centers and regionally important activity centers, bike racks on transit, or gap closures for regionally significant class I paths and class II bike lanes, including freeway crossings. Other low cost improvements that are eligible include: sidewalk bulbs, widening shoulders, safe drainage grates, signs, striping, crossing protection.
Surface Transportation Program (STP):
Amount Available: These funds are part of TEA-21 are have been expended. The next STP cycle will be when TEA-21 is reauthorized.
What it can be used on: Traditionally, these funds have always been spent on motor vehicle projects for construction, repair or maintenance of highways. Funds can also be used, however for bicycle facilities. In addition, Caltrans Deputy Directive 64 and MTC guidelines for funding now require cities to look at how to include bicycle and pedestrian facilities as PART of a road project. This makes the best use of tax-payer dollars.
Transportation Enhancements:
Amount Available: These funds are part of TEA-21 and the last 'call for projects' for the State-share was in June 2001. The next TEA cycle will be when TEA-21 is reauthorized. The California Transportation Commission will announce grant recipients for the June 2001 deadline in April.
Eligible: Bicycle, pedestrian, transit, landscaping, public art or historic projects linked to transportation.
Town Contacts:
Belvedere: |
435-3838 (phone) |
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Corte Madera: |
927-5050 (phone) |
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Fairfax: |
453-1584 (phone for public works) |
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Larkspur: |
927-5110 (phone) |
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Mill Valley: |
388-4033 (phone) |
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Novato: |
897-4311 (phone) |
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Ross: |
453-1453 (phone) |
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San Anselmo: |
258-4600 (phone) |
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San Rafael: |
485-3334 (phone) |
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Sausalito: |
289-4100 (phone) |
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Tiburon: |
435-7373 (phone) |
Marin County Board of Supervisors:
Phone: (415) 499-7331
Fax: (415) 499-3645
District 1: |
John Kress |
Area: |
Terra Linda, Lucas Valley, Marinwood, Santa Venetia, San Rafael and Peacock Gap. |
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District 2: |
Harold Brown, Jr. |
Area: |
Downtown San Rafael, Gerstle Park, West End, Lomita Park, Bret Harte, Sleepy Hollow, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Ross, Kentfield, Greenbrae, Larkspur |
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District 3: |
Annette Rose |
Area: |
Mill Valley, Strawberry, Tiburon, Belvedere, Marin City, Tamalpais Valley, Sausalito |
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District 4: |
Steve Kinsey |
Area: |
West Marin, West Novato, San Geronimo Valley, Canal area of San Rafael, South San Rafael, Corte Madera, Homestead Valley |
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District 5: |
Cynthia Murray |
Area: |
North Marin, Novato, Black Point, Ignacio, Hamilton, Indian Valley |
Marin County's population is 239,530 (State Department of Finance, January 1, 1996). Each Supervisorial District has approximately 46,000 residents. (1990 Census data).
Web Resources:
Government Agencies
- AASHTO: www.aashto.org
- Caltrans, District 4: www.dot.ca.gov/dist4
- Caltrans Local Assistance Programs: www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms
- County of Marin: www.co.marin.ca.us
- Department of Transportation: www.dot.gov/
- Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA): www.fhwa.dot.gov
- Metropolitan Transportation Commission: www.mtc.ca.gov
- Golden Gate Transit: www.goldengate.org
- TEA-21 information: www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21 or www.tea21.org
Non-profits
- Bicycle Federation of America (Clearinghouse): www.bikefed.org
- Bikes Belong Coalition: www.bikesbelong.org
- California Bicycle Coalition: www.calbike.org
- National Center for Walking and Bicycling: www.bikefed.org
- League of America Bicyclists: www.bikeleague.org
- Marin County Bicycle Coalition: www.marinbike.org
- Marin Share the Road: www.sharetheroad.com
- International Mountain Biking Association: www.greatoutdoors.com/imba
- Safe Routes to Schools: www.saferoutestoschools.org
- State bicycle laws: http://tdc-www.harvard.edu/bicycle/lawlegis/
- Surface Transportation Policy Project: www.transact.org and www.tea2.org
- Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: www.railtrails.org
Other Resources:
County of Marin Bicycle Coordinator
Berenice Davidson
(415) 499-6570
bdavidson@co.marin.ca.us
Caltrans District 4 Bicycle Coordinator
Julian Carroll
(510) 286-5598
Julian_carroll@dot.ca.gov
Metropolitan Transportation Commission
Trent Lethco
(510) 464-7737
tlethco@mtc.ca.gov
