CPRPO News

Funding Available for Bicycle, Pedestrian and Multimodal Planning


RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation is accepting applications for the 2026 Multimodal Planning Grant Program, which provides state planning funds for identifying bike and walking paths and transit connections.

Multimodal planning helps communities grow with transportation systems that are safer, more connected and accessible for all users – whether driving, walking, biking or using transit.

For this reason, NCDOT encourages municipalities to develop comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian transportation plans with matching grants that turn local priorities into data-driven, fundable projects. The grant program helps municipalities:

  • Develop a framework for a robust bike/pedestrian environment
  • Identify projects to submit for prioritization and funding in the State Transportation Improvement Program
  • Strengthen ability to secure funding from outside sources
  • Develop an internal approach for implementation
  • Promote bike/pedestrian education and safety in municipalities
  • Develop local policy supportive of bike/pedestrian infrastructure development

State grants require local matching funds commensurate with population. Watch this webinar for more information on match funding and general program information.

Plans funded through this program provide a comprehensive strategy for expanding bicycle and pedestrian opportunities in a community, rather than support a single project. They may also address facilities, programs, policies and design guidelines that promote safe walking and biking. Eligible applicants include:

  • Municipalities of any size and counties with populations under 100,000 seeking to update an existing bicycle or pedestrian plan that is at least five years old.
  • Municipalities with populations of less than 10,000 seeking an abbreviated plan focused on prioritizing project identification and implementation for small towns.
  • North Carolina colleges and universities.

The program is sponsored by the federal, state and local funding sources and has awarded $9.7 million to 278 municipalities, six counties and three universities since it began in 2004.

Proposals are divided and judged in regions to help ensure equitable distribution of funding statewide. Selected recipients typically include a diverse mix of municipalities from large cities to small towns.

Applications must be submitted online by April 13 at 5 p.m. Award recipients will be notified by June.

For more information, contact Bryan Lopez at 919-707-2606 or balopez@ncdot.gov.

CPRPO News

NCDOT Accepting Applications Now for Free Bicycle Helmets

RALEIGH – Applications are now open to organizations statewide to receive free bicycle helmets from the N.C. Department of Transportation, part of an annual effort to promote safe bicycling and reduce head injuries among children.

This program is administered by NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division through its Bicycle Helmet initiative which partners with location organizations to distribute helmets to children in need.

“Wearing a helmet is an easy way to reduce the risk of head injuries when riding a bicycle,” said Brennon Fuqua, director of the Integrated Mobility Division. “We hope the Bicycle Helmet Initiative will help reduce bicycle injuries and raise awareness about the importance of safe bicycling practices.”  

Eligible organizations include local government agencies, schools, nonprofit organizations, public health organizations and churches.

Applicants may request 25, 50, 75 or 100 helmets.

Partnering with other agencies within the community is encouraged and will strengthen the application.

Applications must be submitted online through NCDOT’s Bicycle Helmet Initiative webpage by Feb. 20.

Helmets will be distributed in the spring, ahead of National Bike & Roll to School Day in May.

The Bike Helmet Initiative began in 2007 and works with local communities across North Carolina to promote bicycle safety. Over the past five years, the program has provided over 85,000 free bike helmets statewide.

Funding for the initiative comes from the sales of the N.C. “Share the Road” specialty license plate.

To learn more about IMD, its projects and safety initiatives, visit NCDOT: Integrated Mobility Division.

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CPRPO News

NCDOT’s Intergrated Mobility Division Delivers Milestones, Expands Transit and Innovation

RALEIGH – From launching new bus routes to delivering thousands of free bicycle helmets to children, the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Integrated Mobility (IMD) transformed how North Carolinians moved in 2025.

In response to Hurricane Helene, IMD coordinated with 17public transportation agencies to evacuate over 2,000 citizens and conducted over 500 trips to deliver critical supplies to residents in Western North Carolina.

As part of the Intercity Bus program, IMD launched the Triad-Danville Connector in January, bridging a critical gap between North Carolina and Virginia and enhancing regional mobility. The division also restored intercity bus service to Asheville and Chapel Hill, resulting in more than 3,500 riders since August and improved access for students and rural residents.

In addition, IMD worked with local agencies to develop new and improved bus stop locations. These new stops emphasized connectivity to major universities and ensured safer community locations, are making intercity travel more convenient and accessible statewide.

IMD’s bicycle helmet initiative distributed more than 9,300 free helmets to children through 111 organizations this year, bringing the five-year total to over 84,650.

The division’s Multimodal Planning Grant Program funded15 projects in 2025, including three at colleges and universities – a first for the program. These grants help communities plan safer, more connected walking, biking and transit networks.

As part of the MEE-NC grant, IMD assisted with the development and implementation of six new microtransit services across the state and expanded the service area of two additional microtransit operations.

The division distributed $115 million in state and federal funds to support transit operations and accessibility in all 100 counties.

“2025 was a year of progress and partnership,” said NCDOT’s IMD Director Brennon Fuqua. “This division looks forward to building on this momentum in 2026, ensuring mobility for everyone, everywhere statewide.”

IMD is poised to deliver even greater access and innovation in the year ahead.

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CPRPO News

NCDOT Applications Open for Free Bicycle Helmets 

Organizations have until Feb. 14 to apply under Bicycle Helmet Initiative

RALEIGH – Applications are open to receive free bicycle helmets from the N.C. Department of Transportation.

The annual giveaway by NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division encourages more children to wear helmets. Organizations can participate in the Bicycle Helmet Initiative to distribute to children in need.

“Wearing a bicycle helmet is an easy way to reduce the risk of head injuries if you crash,” said Brennon Fuqua, director of the Integrated Mobility Division, which supports public transit systems, and helps plan bicycle and pedestrian facilities. “We hope the Bicycle Helmet Initiative will help reduce bicycle injuries and raise awareness about the importance of safe bicycling practices.”  

Organizations can apply online at NCDOT’s Bicycle Helmet Initiative webpage to receive free helmets. The deadline for applications is Feb. 14. Applicants may request 25, 50, 75, or 100 helmets and are encouraged to partner with a local law enforcement agency, parks and recreation department, schools, churches, or other organization to host bike safety events. The helmets will be distributed  before National Bike/Walk to School Day in May.The Bike Helmet Initiative started in 2007 and works with local communities to promote bicycle safety. In the last five years, the program has provided over 75,000 free bike helmets.

The Bike Helmet Initiative is paid for using sales of the Share the Road specialty license plates and federal transportation funds.  To learn more about IMD, its projects and safety initiatives, visit NCDOT.gov and follow Integrated Mobility on Twitter/X @NCDOT_IMD and LinkedIn at NCDOT Integrated Mobility Division.

Please do not reply to this email, but instead contact the author directly via the email or phone number listed at the top of the release.

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CPRPO News

State Funds Available for Bicycle, Pedestrian and Facilities Projects

RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation is accepting applications for the 2024 Multimodal Planning Grant Program, which provides state planning funds for identifying bike and walking paths and transit connections.

Applications should include information outlining a comprehensive strategy, rather than a single project, for expanding bicycle and pedestrian opportunities in a community. The plans may also address facilities, programs, policies and design guidelines that encourage safe walking and bicycling.

The following are also eligible to apply:

-Municipalities of all sizes and counties with populations of less than 100,000 seeking to update their existing bicycle or pedestrian plan if it is at least five years old.

-Municipalities with populations of less than 10,000 seeking an abbreviated project acceleration plan that prioritizes project identification and implementation for small towns.

The program is sponsored by the NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility and Transportation Planning divisions. The program has awarded approximately $8.6 million to 260 municipalities and six counties since it started in 2004.

Proposals are divided and judged in geographical groups to help establish equal distribution of funding across the state. Selected recipients commonly include a diverse mix of municipalities from large cities to small towns.

Applications must be submitted electronically by 5 p.m. March 25. Award recipients are expected to be notified by May.

For more information, contact Nick Morrison at 919-707-2608 or nemorrison@ncdot.gov.

To learn more about IMD, its projects and safety initiatives, visit NCDOT.gov and follow Integrated Mobility on Twitter/X @NCDOT_IMD and LinkedIn at NCDOT Integrated Mobility Division.

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