Commissioners weigh adding repeal of state restriction on pedestrian and bicycle projects to legislative agenda

A commissioner asked the Board on Jan. 16 to consider adding to the county’s legislative agenda a request to remove a state law that bars the use of state matching funds for standalone pedestrian and bicycle projects, citing an email from Carol Hoover, chair of the Winston-Salem Bicycle/Pedestrian/Active Mobility Advisory Committee.

The commissioner said the restriction prevents local transportation funding committees from using state matching dollars for standalone pedestrian or cycling projects, though federal matching funds remain eligible. “The restriction at question prohibits using state funds for any standalone pedestriancycling project,” the commissioner said, adding that the House considered repeal in its 2024 budget process but the removal did not remain in the final approved text.

Commissioners discussed scope — whether scooters or other micromobility modes are covered by the restriction — and agreed staff should circulate the statutory language before the Thursday meeting. A commissioner suggested planning further discussion at the next meeting in two weeks so the board can consider sending a letter or adding the repeal to its legislative priorities.

No formal board action to adopt a legislative position was recorded in the briefing transcript; commissioners directed staff to prepare the item for future consideration.

Provenance: Discussion begins at 00:26:16 and continues through 00:34:52 in the transcript.