According to a leaked memo, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has recently ordered a halt on certain discretionary grants for bike lanes and other green infrastructure projects, citing recent executive orders that oppose the climate and equity initiatives championed by the previous administration. Secretary Duffy’s directive mandates a review of all unfunded and partially funded projects, specifically targeting those that include bicycle infrastructure, green infrastructure, electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, and projects designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or improve conditions for environmental justice communities. This shift in priorities has raised significant concern within the landscape architecture and urban planning communities. 

In response, more than 1,634 landscape architecture advocates signed an ASLA letter to Secretary Duffy outlining the crucial importance of continuing support for bike and green infrastructure. The letter highlights several key benefits of these projects: they promote healthier transportation options, support local economies, enhance environmental sustainability, and provide communities with safer, more resilient infrastructure. 

The letter also stresses the economic advantages of green and bicycle infrastructure. Both bicycle and green infrastructure projects help small businesses. Unlike large highway projects, which are built by large construction firms, green infrastructure and bicycle infrastructure projects are planned, designed, and built by small landscape architecture firms and small supplier and contracting companies. 

ASLA is working with other active transportation organizations to urge Duffy to reconsider his position on this issue.