Idaho organizations join thousands to ask Congress to Fund the Next
Surface Transportation Bill
Idaho Organizations: Bike Guide Wilderness Voyageurs ~ Boise Bicycle Project
Bonneville Metropolitan Planning Organization ~ City Cycling Guide
DV Groberg Co. ~ Idaho Falls Community Pathways ~ Idaho Trails Association
~ Idaho Walk Bike Alliance ~ The Wilderness Need Association
Over 1,000 Organizations Come Together With A Clear Message for
Congress: Walking and Biking Infrastructure Is Essential ~ As Congress Develops Country’s Next Surface Transportation Bill, Advocates Warn that Vital Programs That Make It Safe to Walk And Bike Are At Risk
Washington (Feb. 2, 2026)–Today, the nation’s leading advocacy organizations for trails, walking and bicycling—the American Hiking Society, American Trails, the League of American Bicyclists, PeopleForBikes, Rails to Trails Conservancy and the Safe Routes Partnership—sent a letter to leaders of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee with a clear message on behalf of over 1,100 organizations and millions of Americans: Walking and biking infrastructure is essential to the vitality, safety and economic resilience of communities small and large nationwide.
Background
Currently, committee chairmen Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), and ranking members Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wa.) are leading efforts to pass the country’s next surface transportation bill before the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act expires on Sept. 30, 2026.Bill drafts are expected later this month and will define the future of vital federal programs, like Transportation Alternatives, that have long provided the majority of funding to create, connect and maintain the country’s walking and biking infrastructure and make it safe for people to navigate their communities. These programs have supported the development of over 42,500 miles of multiuse trails nationwide, hundreds of developing trail networks that provide safe transportation and recreation in every single state, and countless projects to create safe walking and bicycling routes nationwide.
What’s at Stake
According to letter organizers, this situation carries significant urgency. There are strong indicators that the future of federal programs that invest in safe walking and biking infrastructure is at risk when it is most needed—20 people die walking in the U.S. every day and people biking and walking account for a significant proportion of the 40,000 people killed on our roadways each year. As the bill is being
developed, some Congressional leaders have indicated that it will harken back to a traditional bill that predates Transportation Alternatives’ introduction in 1991, only funding vehicle infrastructure with no investment in trails, bike paths or transit. At the same time, calls from special interest groups like the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials to consolidate and lessen the already limited spending power of these programs are cause for serious concern.
Action Needed
In response to these threats, more than 1,100 nonprofit organizations, businesses, corporations and elected officials representing millions of constituents and a broad cross-section of American priorities—from manufacturing to agriculture, healthcare, economic development, tourism and retail—have come together to demonstrate the widespread need for Congress to protect these important programs. In a letter sent to Congress on Feb. 2, 2026, signatories that represent the widespread interests of Americans are calling for the next surface transportation bill to include a fortified Transportation Alternatives program, and maintain broad eligibility for trails, walking and bicycling across transportation programs, as well as existing provisions for safe walking and bicycling.
Idaho Trails Association ~ Communications Director
Kelly Hewes grew up in Grangeville, Idaho, where she developed a deep love of nature and exploring new places from an early age.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and has spent her career working in nonprofit marketing.
As the Communications Director for Idaho Trails Association, she is passionate about encouraging people to get outside and connecting volunteers with Idaho’s incredible trail community.
Kelly and her husband own a media production company, Tandem Lens, and have traveled to more than 20 countries as filmmakers and photographers. While she loves international adventures, she also finds endless beauty and wonder close to home in Idaho.
In her free time, Kelly enjoys backpacking, hiking, bicycling, gardening, looking for bugs, and sharing her love of the outdoors with her two sons.
Clarifies statute that drivers are required to exercise due care to avoid colliding with electric bikes. Also makes it clear that operators of electric assisted bikes must also follow traffic laws and have the same duties that motor vehicle operators have.
2/9 Passed unanimously by the House Transportation and Defense Committee: Passed on House Floor (68-0-2) and referred to Senate Transportation. Passed unanimously by Senate Transportation 2/17 and sent to the senate
In response to SB 1140 & 1144 which were signed into law last year which mandates roads be designed for priority of cars, restricts bike and pedestrian projects and makes it a misdemeanor for anyone who votes in violation of the law to receive fine up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail.. This bill would allow federal funds or grants to be used to improve bike and pedestrian facilities when funds are received for that purpose. Also amends the violation for violating law to only include elected officials or officers and removes the word ‘person’.
Does away with requirement to have vehicle registration sticker on license plate.
H628, Rep Mendive, 5, Coeur d’Alene
Parent-Student Driver’s Training. Would change law to allow all parents to teach driver’s ed to their child regardless of if their school district has a drivers ed program.
S490, Rep Pohanka, 26, Jerome
Adds to reckless driving to include anyone who drives at speed greater than 20 mph over the posted speed limit in a school zone or construction zone.
Would require single county highway districts to be partisan, have a primary election and be elected county wide but require candidates to reside in respective districts. Would only apply to Ada County. This would be in effect for this year’s May 2026 Primary.
Portneuf Greenway Reaches 20 Miles With East-Side Path Expansion in Pocatello
Featured in Cycling West Magazine
The Portneuf Greenway Foundation, in cooperation with private donors, the City of Pocatello, Bannock County, and the Idaho Transportation Department, recently completed a major expansion of the paved, separated multi-use path system in Pocatello, Idaho. The expansion added almost two miles of path and increased the Portneuf Greenway system to more than 20 miles of paved, ADA-accessible paths in the Pocatello and Chubbuck, Idaho, area.
On the east side of the city, the new paths provide residents and visitors with easy access between neighborhoods and local attractions, including the Bannock County Event Center, the Portneuf Wellness Complex, the Mountainview Event Center, and Idaho State University.
The Portneuf Greenway Foundation is a volunteer, nonprofit organization that facilitates the construction and operation of paved, non-motorized paths in the cities of Pocatello and Chubbuck and does not receive any direct public funding.
Please consider a donation to Help FUND our efforts to encourage kids & families to SAFELY Walk – Bike – Roll across Idaho – by sponsoring a Human-Powered Transportation event
