Cyclists and pedestrians were among the biggest losers in the recently enacted highway law, which reduced funding for bicycle paths and walking trails and softened a requirement that states spend a portion of their federal aid on transportation “enhancements.”

Now, advocates for commuters who ride their bikes or walk to work are counterattacking with a new lobbying strategy that relies on mayors, county executives and other municipal officials to make the case for federal investments in non-motorized transportation.

“One of the biggest parts of our effort is bringing the local success stories back up to their members,” said Caron Whitaker, outgoing campaign director for the advocacy group America Bikes. “This is what the community wants. This is what local leaders want.”

Supporters of bicycle and pedestrian trails see a disconnect between the views of local officials and their representatives in Congress.

During debate of the surface transportation authorization earlier this year, fiscal conservatives sought to roll back a requirement that states set aside 10 percent of their Surface Transportation Program funding for enhancements.