Measure A Safe Routes to School, Bicycle and Pedestrian Grant Program

The Measure A Safe Routes to School, Bicycle and Pedestrian Program was administered by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), a regional planning agency responsible for managing transportation funding and policy in Santa Barbara County. The program originated from Measure A, a voter-approved initiative passed in November 2008, which created a 30-year sales tax revenue stream to support transportation infrastructure across the county from 2010 to 2040. Through this measure, approximately $1 billion was projected to be raised, with 43.3% of the revenue allocated to the South Coast region. Of this, $13 million was designated each for the South Coast Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Program and the South Coast Safe Routes to School Program. The 2025–2028 grant cycle made more than $4.2 million available for competitive funding to support regional bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, as well as safety enhancements near schools. The program specifically targeted projects within the South Coast of Santa Barbara County, including the cities of Carpinteria, Goleta, Santa Barbara, and unincorporated South Coast areas. Its primary objective was to increase safe access and mobility through investments in pedestrian and cycling facilities, especially for school-aged children. Eligible applicants included school districts, colleges and universities, transit agencies, and Caltrans. However, all applications required sponsorship from a South Coast city or the county government. The program encouraged collaborative submissions, with a strong emphasis on infrastructure projects or planning initiatives that supported safer routes to schools or expanded the regional bike and pedestrian network. The application process for this cycle officially opened on February 20, 2025. A mandatory pre-application was due by March 6, 2025, and the final application deadline was April 1, 2025. Proposals were reviewed by a scoring committee composed of representatives from the Cities of Carpinteria, Goleta, and Santa Barbara, the County of Santa Barbara, MOVE Santa Barbara County, the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD), SBCAG, and Caltrans. Evaluation criteria included project readiness, safety impact, regional connectivity, and access improvements for schools. Selected projects were to be recommended to the SBCAG Board of Directors, with awards finalized by Summer 2025. Funded projects ranged from construction of multiuse paths and sidewalk improvements to safety-focused planning initiatives. Since its inception, the Measure A program had supported 95 projects and invested nearly $15 million in South Coast active transportation and school safety improvements. Although no cost-share requirement was imposed, competitive proposals often demonstrated community support and strong alignment with the Measure A Investment Plan. Overall, the Measure A Safe Routes to School, Bicycle and Pedestrian Program served as a vital funding mechanism for enhancing transportation safety and connectivity in the South Coast. The 2025 cycle marked another step toward creating safer, more accessible environments for students and residents through strategic investment in sustainable mobility solutions.

Projects that demonstrate safety impact and regional connectivity are more likely to be selected.