Tell NJ Legislators: Don’t Cut Safe Streets Funding

email advocacy

Email Subject:

Dear [Your Elected Official],

I am writing to urge you to restore funding for the Local Aid and Economic Development Grants and the Local Transportation Projects Fund in the upcoming state budget. These programs provide critical support for pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure projects across New Jersey — investments that save lives, connect communities, and advance the state’s commitment to safer streets.

To implement the Target Zero Commission’s recommended safety actions and protect people walking and biking in every corner of our state, we must at least maintain, if not increase, the FY26 funding levels.

Key facts to consider:

In 2025, the state enacted the historic, first-in-the-nation Target Zero Commission Law to create an action plan to eliminate roadway fatalities and serious injuries by 2040.
One in three roadway fatalities in New Jersey are pedestrians and cyclists.
Twice as many people are killed on our roadways than die by homicide.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is pulling back support for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Without federal investment, it’s up to the states to fill the gap.

Now is the time to strengthen—not cut—our commitment to safe, sustainable transportation. Successfully reaching Target Zero requires continued and expanded investment in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.

Everyone who calls the Garden State home should be safe on New Jersey’s streets, trails, and transit. In the face of federal pullbacks, New Jersey must step up as a leader and defend its priorities by fully funding the infrastructure that keeps us safe.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your City & State]

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Summary

In January 2025, Governor Murphy signed the historic, first-in-the-nation Target Zero Commission Law, creating a multi-agency commission tasked with developing an action plan to eliminate roadway fatalities and serious injuries in the state by 2040. However, Governor Sherrill’s FY27 budget proposal eliminated funding entirely for these critical programs. The draft budget cuts both the Local Transportation Projects Fund and the Local Aid and Economic Development Grants that support Safe Streets to Transit, Bikeways, and the Transit Village Program. These programs fund essential local projects that advance safety, sustainability, accessibility, and affordability. Without this funding, towns will be forced to delay life-saving improvements—or raise local taxes to cover the gap. We know that successfully reaching zero road deaths and serious injuries requires the implementation of pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure – proven safety measures like high visibility crosswalks, daylighted intersections, pedestrian refuge islands, road diets, greenways, and bicycle lanes.[<a href="https://highways.dot.gov/safety/proven-safety-countermeasures">ref</a>] Meanwhile, the federal government has pulled back support for “green infrastructure,” including pedestrian and bike safety programs. In this national moment, New Jersey must lead. We cannot reach our Target Zero goals or protect vulnerable road users without serious investment in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. Now is the time to fund it—not cut it. Tell your legislators: “Don’t Cut Active Transportation Funding!” To make your message even more impactful, personalize your subject line and opening paragraph with a few words about what safe streets mean to you or your community. Want to go the extra mile? Calling your State Senator, Assemblymembers, and the Governor’s office is one of the most effective ways to have your voice heard. Find your representatives <a href="https://www.njlcv.org/find">here</a> and tell them why active transportation and safe streets are so important to you.

Who will receive your email?

Paul Sarlo Senator

Linda Greenstein Senator

Carmen Amato Senator

Renee Burgess Senator

John Burzichelli Senator

Nilsa Cruz-Perez Senator

Patrick Diegnan Senator

Gordon Johnson Senator

Declan O'Scanlon Senator

Teresa Ruiz Senator

Doug Steinhardt Senator

Mike Testa Senator

Andrew Zwicker Senator

Eliana Pintor Marin Assemblymember

Ellen Park Assemblymember

Al Abdelaziz Assemblymember

Al Barlas Assemblymember

Roy Freiman Assemblymember

Mike Inganamort Assemblymember

Carol Murphy Assemblymember

Verlina Reynolds-Jackson Assemblymember

Gabe Rodriguez Assemblymember

Brian Rumpf Assemblymember

Gary Schaer Assemblymember

Gerry Scharfenberger Assemblymember

Avi Schnall Assemblymember

Bill Spearman Assemblymember

Mike Venezia Assemblymember

Your State Senator and State Representative(s)