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

The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) is accepting applications for the Measure A Safe Routes to School, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Program, with over $4.2 million available in grant funding for projects and programs in South Coast communities. The funding supports regional bicycle and pedestrian facilities and safety improvements near schools in the cities of Carpinteria, Goleta, and Santa Barbara, as well as unincorporated areas of the South Coast region. Measure A is a transportation sales tax measure approved by voters in November 2008 to fund a variety of transportation projects in Santa Barbara County, with funding allocated to both North County and South Coast regions.

The goal of this grant program is to enhance and expand the regional bicycle and pedestrian network in the South Coast and to improve safety near schools. Eligible applicants include school districts, universities, colleges, transit agencies, and Caltrans, but these applicants must have a city or county sponsor to apply. Since the inception of Measure A in 2010, the program has funded 95 projects in the South Coast, investing over $14.9 million into safer streets and improved school access. This funding has contributed to walkability and bike-friendly enhancements, helping to close critical gaps in the local bicycle infrastructure.

The application process opened on February 20, 2025. Applicants must submit a pre-application by March 6, 2025, with final applications due by April 1, 2025. A scoring committee will evaluate applications, consisting of representatives from the Cities of Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, and Goleta, the County of Santa Barbara, MOVE Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara MTD, SBCAG, and Caltrans. The committee will review submissions and recommend projects for funding to the SBCAG Board of Directors by Summer 2025.

Measure A, which became effective in April 2010, is expected to generate approximately $1 billion over 30 years to meet Santa Barbara County’s transportation needs. This funding is supplemented by an estimated $0.5 billion in state and federal funds. According to the Measure A Investment Plan, 43.3 percent of revenues are allocated to the North County, and 43.3 percent to the South Coast. Specific to the South Coast, Measure A dedicates $13 million to the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Program and $13 million to the Safe Routes to School Program over the full 30-year period.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for funding to improve active transportation options and create safer environments for students and community members. SBCAG and the City of Santa Barbara emphasize that local budgets are often insufficient to fund safety and active transportation projects without this type of grant assistance. The Measure A program has played a critical role in funding improvements such as multi-use paths and bike infrastructure, ensuring safer routes for cyclists and pedestrians throughout the South Coast region.