Several hundred bicycle enthusiasts were deep into an annual summit in Washington, D.C. when their attention was abruptly diverted. Over breakfast, a blitz of notifications lit up their cellphones, bringing disconcerting news: the Trump administration had suddenly put a stop to federal grant funding for bike lanes. As President Trump’s administration aims to roll back certain green energy initiatives that were supported by former President Biden, especially those bolstering bicycle infrastructure and other eco-friendly projects, numerous states have begun taking matters into their own hands to sustain these priorities.
In response, a coalition named the Clean Rides Network has taken shape, consisting of states like California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania. Together, they are championing environment-friendly transportation projects at the state level, in defiance of what they perceive as federal neglect. This initiative, gaining traction in numerous statehouses this year, underscores the urgency for state-led climate advocacy, according to Justin Balik, senior state program director for Evergreen Action.
Colorado, although not one of the original seven members of this network, has enacted policies reflective of the group’s bold ambitions. Back in 2021, Governor Jared Polis pledged a vigorous reduction in the state’s greenhouse gas emissions through an innovative approach; any state-funded highway expansion must be counterbalanced by a project mitigating environmental impact. Citing this policy, two major highway expansions were scrapped in Colorado, with the financial savings redirected towards the expansion of a popular intercity bus system that caters notably to urban and tourist travel.
This vision paralleled the transportation-focused objectives of the $1.1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure legislation signed by Biden. At the tail end of Biden’s administration, this vision bore fruit in Denver, with the approval of a $150 million federal grant to establish a rapid bus transit line along a key corridor. However, there is growing concern that states may need to independently pursue such sustainability-driven projects henceforth.
Mirroring Colorado’s paradigm, Minnesota has taken similar legislative steps, with other states in the network aspiring to follow suit. Maryland’s House has already passed its version of the Colorado law, and Senate sponsor Shelly Hettleman expresses cautious optimism regarding its eventual passage into law. Her persuasive strategy. emphasized economic advantages, with referenced studies estimating up to $40 billion in projected savings stemmed from enhanced air quality, road safety, and eased traffic congestion.
However, the journey towards green legislation isn’t without opposition. In Illinois and Massachusetts, while progress is being made, the path is fraught with resistance from several quarters, notably business leaders and advocates of road construction. Criticism has surfaced, citing, for instance, deferred improvements to essential infrastructure.
Despite most of the momentum in favor of eco-conscious transportation originating from Democratic-led states, the Clean Rides Network has observed emerging interest even from more conservative states. Practical concerns, mainly economic, propelled by studies indicating transportation costs running just behind housing expenses, intricately tie future transport policies with financial calculus. For example, Virgini’s project evaluation scales prioritize features like safety and environmental effects.
Meanwhile, Utah has embarked on an assertive transit plan keeping pace with its rapid growth, and Montana has enacted land reforms that promote walkability in urban environments.
Muhammed Patel from the Natural Resources Defense Council in Chicago posits that states are beginning to reconsider transportation priorities, highlighting that state governance offers inherent flexibility over transportation systems and strategies.