12 Foot Paths 12-25-25

Federal funding for paths (like bike/pedestrian trails) wasn't from one person but evolved through acts like the ISTEA (1991), which first offered significant funds, and later boosted by acts like SAFETEA-LU (2005) (Safe Routes to School) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2021), with key proponents being transportation advocates and lawmakers pushing for multi-modal options, rather than a single "initiator" for specific 12-foot widths.  

Key Milestones in Federal Path Funding:

Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) (1991): This landmark act, signed by President George H.W. Bush, was crucial as it provided the first significant federal money for bicycle and pedestrian projects, moving beyond just roads.

SAFETEA-LU (2005): This bill established the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program, dedicating funds to get kids walking and biking, which often involved path improvements.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (IIJA) (2021): Under the Biden-Harris Administration, this law significantly increased funding for active transportation (walking, biking, trails), creating new opportunities and boosting existing programs like the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). 

Who Pushed For It?

Advocacy Groups: Organizations like the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and the Safe Routes Partnership strongly advocated for these programs.

Congress: Lawmakers consistently championed these bills, recognizing the need for non-motorized transportation options. 

While no single person "initiated" the 12-foot path concept, the legislative history shows a growing federal commitment, starting with ISTEA and expanding significantly with recent bipartisan efforts, with advocates pushing for specific infrastructure for safe, active transport. 

In the context of modern active transportation, federal funding for shared-use paths (often standardized at a 12-foot width for multi-modal safety) was significantly expanded and formalized through the following key legislative actions: 

1. The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) 

While not the very first mention of paths, ISTEA is widely credited by organizations like the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy as the "big bang" for federal trail funding. It established the Transportation Enhancements (TE) program, which mandated that a portion of federal highway funds be spent on non-motorized projects, including paved shared-use paths. 

2. Standardizing the 12-Foot Width

The specific 12-foot standard for high-traffic or "world-class" paths is typically dictated by AASHTO

(American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) guidelines, which federal funding often requires projects to follow. 

AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities: This guide, often adopted by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), recommends a minimum paved width of 10 feet for shared-use paths, but strongly advises 12 feet in areas with high volumes of users to prevent collisions. 

3. Recent Major Funding Expansions (2021–2025)

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2021): This law, signed by President Biden, significantly increased funding for active transportation through programs like the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment

Program (ATIIP) and Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A).

SS4A Grants: These grants provide billions of dollars specifically to local and tribal governments for projects that include wide, safe walking and biking paths designed to reduce roadway fatalities. 

4. 2025 Policy Shifts

As of March 2025, the Trump administration issued orders to review and potentially hold funding for certain "bicycle infrastructure" and "shared-use paths" that were approved under previous climate and equity initiatives. This has led to some local projects being paused or seeking alternative funding sources. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=who+initiated+federal+funding+for+12+foot+paths

Comments

This Bad Idea came in 1991 and was paused by Trump in 2025. Bike Lanes were empty and Bond Votes for 12 foot Paths next to subdivisions were failing. Busses are used by school-age students. 

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader