Trump transport chief redirects $1.7 bn from bike-lane grants, citing DEI concerns

In a July post on X, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy redirected $1.73 billion originally set aside for bicycle-related projects, labeling them “DEI pet projects” from the previous administration. The reallocation eliminates grants awarded under the Raise program, including $11.4 million for a separated trail in Albuquerque and $11.7 million for a safety corridor in Fairfield, Alabama. Duffy offered no clear criteria for deciding which bike lanes qualify as DEI tools, and the Federal Highway Administration also stripped bike lanes from its catalog of proven safety countermeasures.

Leaders such as Caron Whitaker of the League of American Bicyclists warn that the shift will stall safety upgrades and hurt community development, while Erik Noonan of the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota calls the policy a misallocation of resources. Public surveys show three-quarters of Americans support bike lanes, and studies link them to reduced vehicle speeds and fewer collisions. Albuquerque has sued the department, citing recent spikes in cyclist fatalities and the economic benefits of the cancelled projects.