The Active Transportation Program (ATP) was created by Senate Bill 99 (Chapter 359, Statutes of 2013) and Assembly Bill 101 (Chapter 354, Statutes of 2013) to encourage increased use of active modes of transportation, such as biking and walking. The ATP consolidates various federal and state transportation programs, including the Transportation Alternatives Program , Bicycle Transportation Account, and State Safe Routes to School, into a single program with a focus to make California a national leader in active transportation.

 The goals of the ATP are to:
  • Increase the proportion of trips accomplished by biking and walking.
  • Increase the safety and mobility of non-motorized users.
  • Advance the active transportation efforts of regional agencies to achieve greenhouse gas reduction goals.
  • Enhance public health, including reduction of childhood obesity through the use of programs including, but not limited to, projects eligible for Safe Routes to School Program funding.
  • Ensure that disadvantaged communities fully share in the benefits of the program.
  • Provide a broad spectrum of projects to benefit many types of active transportation users.
State and federal law segregate program funding into three components and is distributed as follows:
  • 50% to the state for a statewide competitive program,
  • 10% to small urban and rural regions with populations of 200,000 or less for the small urban and rural area competitive program, and
  • 40% to Metropolitan Planning Organizations in urban areas with populations greater than 200,000 for the large urbanized area competitive program. At least 25% of the funds must benefit Disadvantaged Communities, which includes many parts of San Joaquin County.
More information: http://www.catc.ca.gov/programs/ATP.htm and http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms/atp/.