The Trump administration has frozen and canceled hundreds of millions in active transportation grants, while Congress prepares legislation to exclude bike and walking paths from future transportation bills. RTC's lobbying strategy has shifted from expansion to defense: preserving dedicated trail funding, protecting rail-to-trail conversion mechanisms, and maintaining momentum on its Great American Rail-Trail project as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorization approaches expiration.
Cyborg Score Rationale
RTC operates with substantial mission alignment and federal advocacy capability, demonstrated by active grant administration and coalition-building. However, the organization faces unprecedented headwinds—federal funding freezes, Congressional efforts to exclude active transportation from future bills, and threat to the railbanking statute that enables core conversions. Strategic positioning relies on legislative defense rather than expansion.
Top Insights
RTC spent $63,527 on in-house lobbying in Q4 2025 and has filed 76 disclosures with approximately $2.1 million spent on lobbying since 2004, focusing on transportation, natural resources and appropriations.
H.R. 4924 threatens the railbanking statute that enables rail-to-trail conversions—potentially blocking thousands of miles of planned projects across 43 states.
The Great American Rail-Trail secured nearly $30 million in 2025, offering a rare bright spot amid broader funding pressures.
In 2026, RTC will award approximately $110,000 to organizations and local agencies working to develop and connect equitable trail networks.
Named Competitors
Trust for Public Land — Parks and public lands advocacy with overlapping active transportation focus
American Hiking Society — Trail advocacy and conservation nonprofit for hiking and multiuse trails
National Association of State Trails — Nonprofit advocacy for state trail systems and active transportation infrastructure development
Recent Developments
(July 2025) USDOT announced first round of BUILD grants under Trump Administration with shift away from sole focus on walking and biking projects toward greater motor vehicle capacity investment.
(Q4 2025) RTC spent $63,527 on in-house lobbying to defend trail funding amid federal freeze and Congressional efforts to exclude active transportation from future bills.
(May 2026) 2026 Trail Grants applications closed with approximately $110,000 awarded to organizations developing equitable trail networks.
(June 2026) RTC advocating for FY 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program with applications due May 26 and August deadlines for implementation grants.
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