The Trump administration has rescinded millions of dollars in federal grants intended for pedestrian, bicycle, and transit safety projects across the United States, arguing that the initiatives are “hostile” to cars and reduce roadway capacity.

According to Bloomberg, in recent weeks, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) canceled awards under programs such as the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) and Safe Streets for All, including US$1.2 million for a San Diego County road project with bike lanes, US$11.7 million for a trail in Fairfield, Alabama, and multiple Boston projects aimed at improving walking, biking, and transit access in Mattapan Square.

DOT officials justified the moves by saying the projects would “impede vehicle capacity and speed” or alter “auto-centric configurations.”

A spokesperson for the agency declined to comment further.

The cancellations, issued September 9, are being seen as President Donald Trump’s push to roll back Biden-era policies on transit, clean energy, and electric vehicle infrastructure, while prioritising single-occupancy vehicle use.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has repeatedly criticised major transit systems and vowed to steer federal dollars toward projects designed around automobiles.

Local officials and transit advocates, however, say the administration is ignoring rising demand for safer, more walkable streets, even in conservative strongholds.

“At the local level, there really isn’t that divide,” said Kevin Mills of the Rails to Trails Conservancy, noting strong bike and trail plans in Republican-led states like Florida.

Some projects now face termination, with officials in Fairfield acknowledging their trail cannot proceed without federal support.

Others, like in McLean County, Illinois, are scrambling to find alternative funding after losing US$675,000 allocated for planning and designing aspects of a Route 66 bike and pedestrian path.

Boston officials blasted the move, saying it undermines congressional intent.

“The city won these competitive federal grants to replace sidewalks, improve lighting, upgrade bus stops, and plant trees on neighborhood streets,” a spokesperson for Mayor Michelle Wu said in an email.

“The federal government’s decision to cancel these grants once again ignores the clear intent of Congress, and we are reviewing our options.”

In Albuquerque, where an US$11.5 million grant for a downtown rail trail was withdrawn, city officials expressed frustration but also relief at no longer waiting on federal approval.

“Honestly, the feds have been ghosting us on this for the last nine months.

“If there’s a plus side to this, getting them out of the way may actually make this project move a little bit faster,” said Terry Brunner, the city’s chief of staff and director of its Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency.