The future of cycling infrastructure in the United States is under threat. A coalition of more than 1,100 organizations — including cycling industry giants SRAM, Shimano, and Trek — has signed a joint letter warning that federal funding for bike lanes, trails, and road safety programs could face significant cuts in upcoming legislation. The alarm is being sounded at a moment when cities across the country are in the middle of ambitious cycling network expansions, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for the millions of Americans who ride bikes for transportation, fitness, and recreation.
What’s at Stake
The concern centers on federal funding streams that have historically supported cycling and pedestrian infrastructure through programs like the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program. These programs have been the financial backbone of protected bike lane construction, trail development, and Vision Zero safety initiatives in cities and towns across the country.
The threat isn’t hypothetical. In Washington, D.C., bike advocates have already filed a lawsuit against the federal government after the National Park Service began dismantling existing bike lanes near the Washington Monument — infrastructure that was previously installed with federal approval. The legal battle represents the sharp end of a broader policy shift that could see cycling infrastructure treated as expendable rather than essential.
The joint letter from the 1,100-organization coalition argues that cycling infrastructure delivers measurable returns on investment: reduced traffic congestion, lower healthcare costs from increased physical activity, decreased carbon emissions, and economic development in communities that become more bikeable. The signatories are asking Congress to maintain current funding levels and protect the programs that have enabled cities to build safer streets.
Why the Industry Is Speaking Up
The involvement of SRAM, Shimano, and Trek isn’t just about advocacy — it’s about business reality. These companies understand that cycling participation is directly tied to infrastructure. People ride more when they feel safe, and they feel safe when there are protected lanes, connected trail networks, and thoughtful street design that accounts for cyclists.
The data supports this connection. Cities that have invested in protected cycling infrastructure have consistently seen ridership increases of 50-200% on corridors where protected lanes were installed. Conversely, surveys consistently show that safety concerns — specifically the lack of separated infrastructure — are the number one barrier preventing people from cycling more frequently.
For the cycling industry, this creates a straightforward economic equation: fewer bike lanes means fewer cyclists, which means fewer bike sales, fewer service appointments, and a smaller overall market. The booming e-bike market, which has been one of the industry’s strongest growth drivers, is particularly dependent on safe urban infrastructure, as many e-bike buyers are commuters who need protected routes to feel comfortable riding to work.
The Paradox of Timing
The funding threat arrives at a paradoxical moment. Cities across America are investing more heavily in cycling infrastructure than ever before. New York City just announced a major bike network overhaul ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including a new dedicated bike connection to the Brooklyn Bridge and expanded protected lanes from SoHo to Union Square. Los Angeles approved a 1.3-mile two-way bike lane project in Westwood. Seattle is converting car lanes to protected cycling infrastructure in Highland Park.
Meanwhile, states like California are advancing e-bike safety regulations that signal a growing acknowledgment of cycling’s role in the transportation ecosystem. The disconnect between local momentum and potential federal retrenchment creates uncertainty that could slow or stall projects currently in planning stages.
For cyclists who commute, train, or ride recreationally on public roads, the stakes are personal. Every protected lane, every trail connection, every intersection redesign that separates bikes from high-speed traffic is an investment in rider safety. Losing the federal funding that supports these projects doesn’t just mean fewer lanes built — it means more cyclists sharing unprotected roads with cars and trucks.
What Cyclists Can Do
The coalition’s joint letter is a starting point, but individual action matters too. Here’s how cyclists can make their voices heard:
Contact your representatives. Federal funding decisions are made by Congress. A brief email or phone call to your senators and House representative expressing support for cycling infrastructure funding takes minutes and has real impact. Elected officials track constituent contacts on specific issues, and cycling infrastructure often lacks a vocal constituency compared to highway spending.
Support local advocacy organizations. Groups like PeopleForBikes, the League of American Bicyclists, and local cycling advocacy organizations are leading the fight for infrastructure funding. Membership dues and donations directly fund their lobbying and legal efforts. Many of these organizations also coordinate rides, events, and campaigns that build community support for cycling infrastructure.
Ride visibly and consistently. Every cyclist on the road is a data point. Cities use ridership counts to justify infrastructure investments. By riding regularly — especially on routes where infrastructure is planned or needed — you’re contributing to the case for protected lanes and trails. Using cycling apps that share anonymized ridership data (like Strava Metro) helps planners understand where cyclists actually ride.
Whether you’re a daily commuter or a weekend recreational rider who prefers exploring gravel routes away from traffic, safe infrastructure on urban roads affects all of us. It’s what connects our homes to trailheads, our apartments to offices, and our neighborhoods to each other. The fight to preserve federal cycling infrastructure funding is ultimately a fight for the safety and accessibility of cycling itself.
Key Takeaways
Over 1,100 organizations including SRAM, Shimano, and Trek are warning that federal bike infrastructure funding faces significant cuts. With cities from New York to Los Angeles actively expanding cycling networks, the potential loss of federal support threatens to stall progress at a critical moment. Cyclists can help by contacting elected representatives, supporting advocacy organizations, and making their presence felt at local planning meetings. The infrastructure we build today determines how safe and accessible cycling will be for the next generation of riders.
