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Federal programs for funding trails

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grants can fund bicycle and pedestrian campaigns, programs and initiatives that increase physical activity.

CDC Releases Application for Hundreds of Millions in Prevention Funding

Information from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Safe Routes to School National Partnership

photo of people on trail

Federal funds are available to promote healthy activity

in communities across America

Communities Putting Prevention to Work provides an important opportunity for bicycle and pedestrian professionals, advocates, and health officials, to act quickly to get your city or state to:
1. Apply for the funding (construction projects are NOT eligible);
2. Educate the health department about the range of bike/ped interventions that can be included in their application and action plan; and
3. Include your organization as a partner in the effort.

Lead Applicants:
Local and State Health Departments

Deadlines:
Letter of Intent Deadline: October 30, 2009
Application Deadline: December 1, 2009

There are two recent opportunities for funding bicycle and pedestrian programs and promotions. Eligible bike/ped organizations should contact local and state Health Departments.

On September 17, 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a new program: Communities Putting Prevention to Work. Thirty to forty communities will receive a total of $373 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus) dollars through this competitive grant program to support interventions that reduce obesity (through improved physical activity and nutrition) and/or reduce tobacco use. Communities can apply for either focus area or both. This landmark opportunity is aimed at mobilizing community resources toward broad-based policy, systems, organizational and environmental changes. The application places an emphasis on communities demonstrating effective coalitions, and notes that special consideration should be given to the inclusion of populations disproportionately affected by chronic diseases.

On September 29, 2009 the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the release of $120 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds for prevention and wellness programs for U.S. states and territories, building on the recent announcement of the $373 million funding opportunity for communities and tribes around the country. In all, the comprehensive Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative will make $650 million available for public health efforts to address obesity, increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and decrease smoking.

America Bikes and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership have prepared a list of sample bike/ped activities that fit within the five categories of evidence-based interventions that are required as part of this CDC application. We encourage you to review these sample activities and assess which would work well in your community. Funds are available to make these projects a reality-so it is in your interest to work with your health department to develop the bike/ped aspects of the CDC application for obesity prevention, and to demonstrate how your organization can be a resource to them.

Act Now to Contact Your Health Department and City Officials: Now is the time to contact your health department and city officials to encourage them to apply, and to share your ideas on bike/ped interventions. Don't wait - health departments are making decisions now about whether to apply, and what to propose in their grant applications.

Populations greater than 500,000: If you live in a city or county with a population of 500,000 people or more, your local city or county health department will be the lead applicant on the grant. You should find and contact the health department staff person who is the lead on physical activity or obesity. In addition, you should contact your Mayor and City Council members to urge them to ask the health department to apply for this grant with a focus on bike/ped to increase physical activity.

Populations less than 500,000: If you live in a city, county, or community with a population of less than 500,000 people, then your State Department of Health will be the lead applicant. States can only choose two communities throughout the whole state to sponsor, so it will be important to reach out soon. Work with your local health department, Mayor or members of the Board of Supervisors to encourage them to reach out to the state department of health to include your community in the state's application.

Tribal Applicants: If you live in a tribal area, you should work with the health department lead staff on physical activity or obesity to prepare the application. Tribes are permitted to apply directly.

Application Focus:

The CDC Request for Proposals notes that the "key to the success of this initiative, Communities Putting Prevention to Work, will be to implement community-wide policies, systems, and environmental changes that reach across all levels of the socio-ecological model and include the full engagement of the leadership in city government, boards of health, schools, businesses, community and faith-based organizations, community developers, transportation and land use planners, parks and recreation officials, health care purchasers, health plans, health care providers, academic institutions, foundations, other Recovery Act-funded community activities, and many other community sectors working together to promote health and prevent chronic diseases. Funded programs need to build on, but not duplicate current Federal programs as well as state, local, or community programs and coordinate fully with existing programs and resources in the community."

The FIVE STRATEGIES

CDC wants to see evidence of the five "evidence-based strategies" Media, Access, Point of decision information, Price and, Social support services" in both communities and schools

MEDIA can include:

Promote increased activity
Promote use of public transit
Promote active transportation (bicycling and walking)

Suggested Bike/Ped MEDIA Activities for Communities to include in CDC Grant Applications:

Develop a media campaign to encourage walking and bicycling for utilitarian purposes (i.e. “visit downtown without the parking hassle”, “stimulate the economy by shopping locally”, or “bike to work”. Brand “think twice before you drive” or a similar theme in radio/newspaper media buys about walking/biking for short trips.
Publicize through commercials and PSAs where to go to get information about bike commuting and trails. Consider joint promotion with transit.
Advertise price incentives for walking/biking such as the Bike Commuter Act or other employer incentives.
Implement a marketing program like Portland’s Smart Trips program, which uses social marketing to change behaviors and provide resources to make it easier for people to adopt walking and bicycling.
Develop a media campaign to encourage walking and bicycling for utilitarian purposes (i.e. “visit downtown without the parking hassle”, “stimulate the economy by shopping locally”, or “bike to work”. Brand “think twice before you drive” or a similar theme in radio/newspaper media buys about walking/biking for short trips.
Publicize through commercials and PSAs where to go to get information about bike commuting and trails. Consider joint promotion with transit.
Advertise price incentives for walking/biking such as the Bike Commuter Act or other employer incentives.
Coordinate promotional activities for adults with any efforts the community is undertaking for Safe Routes to School education, encouragement and enforcement campaigns for children.
Conduct a driver education campaign (e.g. Share the Road) about watching out for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Engage and educate the local police force on traffic laws that affect the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians. Improve law enforcement around schools and other high risk areas.
Develop and advertise a community active transportation challenge which allows individuals to track miles traveled and calories burned, and to compare with peers and set goals. This could include a public launch event, a social networking website, efforts to engage businesses in workplace contests, and support systems within businesses.
Develop a local active transportation website identifying the best routes for walking/biking and how to get to key destinations (shopping, schools, trails, etc). Include staffing for the campaign website to help interested individuals plan bike commuter routes and to pair them with someone to ride with them.
Develop community calculators on how many calories you burn if you replace a trip with walking/biking to encourage active transportation. Couple this with information about routes and support services.
Implement a marketing program like Portland’s Smart Trips program, which uses social marketing to change behaviors and provide resources to make it easier for people to adopt walking and bicycling.
Coordinate promotional activities for adults with any efforts the community is undertaking for Safe Routes to School education, encouragement and enforcement campaigns for children.
Conduct a driver education campaign (e.g. Share the Road) about watching out for bicyclists and pedestrians
Engage and educate the local police force on traffic laws that affect the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians. Improve law enforcement around schools and other high risk areas.
Develop and advertise a community active transportation challenge which allows individuals to track miles traveled and calories burned, and to compare with peers and set goals. This could include a public launch event, a social networking website, efforts to engage businesses in workplace contests, and support systems within businesses.
Develop a local active transportation website identifying the best routes for walking/biking and how to get to key destinations (shopping, schools, trails, etc). Include staffing for the campaign website to help interested individuals plan bike commuter routes and to pair them with someone to ride with them.
Develop community calculators on how many calories you burn if you replace a trip with walking/biking to encourage active transportation. Couple this with information about routes and support services.

ACCESS can include:

Safe, attractive accessible places for activity (e.g. access to outdoor recreation facilities, enhance bicycling and walking infrastructure, place schools within residential areas, increase access to and coverage area of public transportation, mixed use development, reduce community designs that leads to injuries).
City planning, zoning and transportation (e.g., planning to include the provision of sidewalks, mixed use, parks with adequate crime prevention measures, and Health Impact Assessments)

Suggested Bike/Ped ACCESS Activities for Communities to include in CDC Grant Applications:

Have the city spearhead initiatives such as: developing or updating bicycle and pedestrian plans, conducting a pedestrian and bicycle safety assessment, examining planning, zoning, and projects, developing ordinances (bike parking, sidewalks, safety, access, etc.), and implementing Safe Routes to School.
Hold complete streets workshops to help get planners, engineers, and other departments up to speed on what complete streets are and how to incorporate the principles into land use planning, zoning, street projects, etc.
Adopt and implement city-wide complete streets policies.
Implement a policy that requires cooperative efforts between the school district and city to look at school siting in conjunction with city planning/zoning to ensure that schools are in neighborhoods, allow children to walk and bicycle, and that school siting is included into General/Comprehensive Plans.
Coordinate efforts to increase public transportation with efforts to improve access to transit stops through bike lanes, paths and sidewalks.
Do a citywide bike parking assessment and plan for increasing on-street bike parking and secure, covered bike parking. Train community leaders to hold neighborhood by neighborhood walkabouts/community audits throughout the city to develop inventories of what needs to be changed to make it safer for walking/biking and to improve access to parks, schools, downtown, etc.
Conduct a city assessment of zoning ordinances. Update these ordinances to emphasize multi-use zoning and require developers to build sidewalks/bike racks/nexus to transit, etc.
Implement a policy that requires health impact assessments (HIAs) for city zoning and transportation planning processes, particularly when they impact low-income communities. Provide trainings and materials on HIA tools and techniques.
Make sure bus/rail stops and stations have bike parking and that buses/rail cars allow bikes on board (or have a rack on the bus).

POINT OF PURCHASE/PROMOTION can include

Signage for neighborhood destinations in walkable/mixed-use areas
Signage for public transportation, bike lanes/boulevards.

Suggested Bike/Ped POINT OF PURCHASE/PROMOTION Activities for Communities to include in CDC Grant Applications:

Implement a consistent and comprehensive bike route signage system.
Implement a signage system for Safe Routes to School designated routes for children, including yard signs, stencils, street signs, bumpers, etc.
Incorporate bike/ped/active transportation into Transportation Demand Management efforts.

PRICE can include:

Reduced price for park/facility use
Incentives for active transit
Subsidized memberships to recreational facilities

Suggested Bike/Ped POINT OF PURCHASE/PROMOTION Activities for Communities to include in CDC Grant Applications:

Promote the implementation of the Bike Commuter Act (HR 863) which gives bike-commuting employees tax-free vouchers to use at area bike shops for repairs and supplies.
Provide incentives or discounts for people who walk or bike to transit.
Offer a discount/coupon system (partnership with bike shops) where individuals that want to start biking to work could get discounts on panniers, other bike commuting accessories, and/or bike repairs, etc.
Provide rebates for employees that walk/bike to work (businesses could enroll if they agree to promote).
Implement a community bike repair/giveaway program (adult and youth versions).
Provide city tax or other incentives for businesses, schools, and universities that provide safe, protected bike parking.
Provide supplies or funding incentives for schools that participate in Safe Routes to School, including prizes for quarterly raffles for participating students. Implement bike helmet fittings and giveaways for lower-income communities.
Provide “Energizer” stations for bike commuters (coffee or snacks along prominent bike commuter routes to raise awareness).
Develop and promote community, business, or university bike sharing/bike rental programs.

SOCIAL SUPPORT & SERVICES can include

Safe routes to school
Workplace, faith, park, neighborhood activity groups (e.g., walking hiking, biking)

Suggested Bike/Ped SOCIAL SUPPORT & SERVICES Activities for Communities to include in CDC Grant Applications:

Offer bicycle education programs in partnership with the health department. Publicize the program by providing info about the health benefits of physical activity and active transportation.
Organize community bike rides to provide new riders with a joyful and safe riding experience, and teach people safe routes to work/school/shopping, paired with effective cycling education.
Organize bike to work and bike/walk to school day/week/month/school-year-long events.
Offer school- or community- based sports programs for youth bicycling and walking (e.g. BMX, skateboard, mountain bike, road racing clubs and competitive teams).
Implement student tallies and parent surveys in all area schools to assess obstacles to biking/walking to school and to get baseline numbers.
Hire trained bicycle educators to teach bike/ped safety education in schools and in the community. Include the purchase and management of bike fleets for the trainings.
Incorporate into daily PE curriculum bike/ped safety education that equips children with necessary knowledge to be physically active on their own time.
Hire citywide/countywide SRTS coordinator(s) to run encouragement events and organize in-school traffic safety education, Walking School buses, Walking Wednesdays, etc.
Conduct community inventories of the environment around and at schools to assess the safety of walking and bicycling.
Engage high school and college students as walking school bus leaders for younger kids.
Engage high school students through bike and skateboard clubs and incorporate physical activity into other outdoors clubs.
Incorporate education about the value of active transportation and physical activity into school curricula. Have kids develop posters, school newspaper articles, and peer-to-peer activities promoting walking and bicycling to school.
Implement a bicycle ambassadors program (like Chicago or DC).
Develop a Bike buddy system or community-organized bike trains for commuters and families.
Sponsor events like Sunday Streets where the city closes downtown streets and encourages residents to walk/bike/exercise.
Participate in bike commuting challenges, Walk and Bike to School Day, and other promotion programs and events.

CDC GOALS

According to CDC the goals of the funding are to: "Reach across both components (community and school) is necessary to achieve behavior change in youth and to sustain healthy behavior into adulthood. Awardees will work from a prescribed menu of MAPPS strategies and interventions (referenced in recipient activities) and will be required to implement specific high priority interventions, including implementing comprehensive smoke free air policies, using evidence-based pricing strategies that discourage tobacco use, and/or limiting availability of unhealthy food and beverages. Awardees may also propose evidence-based interventions not listed within the prescribed MAPPS menu, but must provide a strong justification of how the proposed intervention will have sufficient reach and potential impact consistent with the short and long-term goals of the initiative. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will provide community programmatic support and tools to strengthen and develop effective strategies tailored to community needs."

For more information on funding ideas and case studies visit Safe Routes to School

See details at Grants.gov for Communities Putting Prevention to Work grants

Related Pages:

Resources and Library:

Federal programs for funding trails

CDC Releases Application for Hundreds of Millions in Prevention Funding