intro-img intro-img-mobile

When people can go places, America goes places

The Center for American Mobility (CAM) is fighting to expand public transit and create safer streets across America. We're the first national organization dedicated to building the political power it takes to get there.

Make a donation

Thank you for supporting the Center for American Mobility, a 501(c)(4) organization. This donation is not tax deductible.

Join us

Why CAM?

$13,318 per year.

That’s what the average household spends on transportation, the second highest expense after housing. Better public transit, walking, and biking options can save Americans money and connect them to more jobs, while making it easier for employers to hire. 

$1 invested in public transit returns $5 in economic value for communities. The case is clear and people want better mobility. Since 2018, voters have approved more than 80% of transit ballot measures. We need lawmakers to catch up.

info-img info-img-mobile

CAM exists to bring political firepower to the fight for better transit and safer streets across the country.

We advocate for expanded mobility options: trains, buses, microtransit, and safe streets for biking, scooting, and walking. The goal: stronger local economies, greater access to opportunity, and healthier, more connected communities.

The Cost of the Status Quo

17¢
Share of every dollar the average American household spent on transportation in 2024, second only to housing.
45%
Share of Americans with no access to transit.
100+
Americans killed in traffic crashes every day, including more than 20 people walking or biking.
57%
Share of America's transportation emissions that come from cars & light trucks, more than freight, aviation, rail, and transit combined.

What CAM Does

icon-1

Fund the fight.

Backs transit ballot measures, legislative campaigns, and candidates who champion modern mobility.
icon-2

Equip local advocates.

Provides research, messaging, and resources to shape public opinion, lift local voices, and win campaigns.
icon-3

Build the coalition.

Connects and activates agencies, advocates, business groups, and industry leaders to speak with one voice around shared goals.
icon-4

Make the case.

Amplifies the research and insights the CAM Research & Education Fund will publish.

Places Already Winning

tile-img-1

Phoenix, Arizona

Voters repeatedly approved and extended funding for the Valley Metro light rail system.
tile-img-2

Indianapolis, Indiana

Voters approved funding that built the city's Bus Rapid Transit network, with ever-increasing ridership.
Hoboken, New Jersey (1)

Hoboken, New Jersey

Redesigned its streets and implemented a comprehensive Vision Zero program resulting in nine years without a single traffic death.
tile-img-3

Nashville, Tennessee

Voters passed the $3.1 billion Choose How You Move ballot initiative for transit and safe street infrastructure improvements.
tile-img-5

Bentonville, Arkansas

Adding 30 miles of trails, protected bike lanes and safe street infrastructure.
Columbus, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio

Voters approved LinkUS, funding three bus rapid transit corridors and more than 500 miles of new sidewalks and bike trails.
tile-img-4

Arlington, Texas

After never having any transit, it now operates a citywide on-demand microtransit service and has significantly increased its mobility investments.
Alameda, California

Alameda, California

Used a voter-approved county sales tax to help rebuild a high-crash corridor with protected bike lanes, roundabouts, and safer crossings.

What Winning Looks Like

Winning for CAM means more funding for public transit and safer streets, both central to solving for affordability and driving growth. Within eighteen months:
30+
partner organizations in a formal network
10
local ballot measures and electoral and legislative campaigns CAM helps win
≤ 1/3
share of CAM revenue from any single funder
2
research projects spearheaded by CAM Research & Education Fund

Founding support from

via-logo
arnold-ventures-logo
quote-img
In Sioux Falls, we went from a transit system that reached less than half the city to multi-modal service that now reaches every neighborhood, connecting more people to jobs and unlocking economic growth. CAM is committed to helping mayors everywhere do the same.
— Paul TenHaken, former Mayor of Sioux Falls, SD