Support Bike Commuting!

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 26, 2007 4:10 PM EDT in News

In an effort led by the League of American Bicyclists and several members (with good Northwest representation!), Congress is currently considering the Bicycle Commuter Act which would give incentives to employers to make life better for their bike commuters. Spread the word! The nut graf:

The Bicycle Commuter Act would simply extend the definition of "transportation" in Section 132 (f) of the 1986 IRS code to include "bicycles." The program is voluntary. The change would provide a strong incentive to employees to bike to work, contribute to cleaner air, reduced energy consumption and many other benefits. The costs of commuting, such as lights, bike maintenance, raingear, panniers, parking (locker rental) and changing facilities, would be reimbursable under this program.

The Feds already do this (sorta), which is why I have a nice cabinet for my clothes, and two indoor bike racks at my disposal. Roads are a different story, but this is progress.

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Great Copy of

the Mayor of Louisville's speech over at the thefredcast.com, almost had me packing my things to move there. Very exciting stuff.

The Crystal Method

Race Calendar

by Clydesdale on Mar 26, 2007 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

link?

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 26, 2007 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

oops

I just typed instead of linking it. Here you go.

ThefredCast.com

It is the current top story.

The Crystal Method

Race Calendar

by Clydesdale on Mar 26, 2007 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I can firmly place

my existence as a cyclist as a factor of my employer having secure, dry bike lockers, showers, and lockers. Back when I turned 30 I had a panic attack at no longer being the runner I was when I was 21, so I started riding to work on an old mountain bike.

Years later, I realize that I'm no longer riding to work and back up in whatever category is two steps heavier than clydesdale. (the class, not our respected VDS manager!)

Still, showers and secure storage can make a HUGE difference!

Brooklyn Chewing Gum: Vlaanderens Mooiste

by Koppenberg on Mar 26, 2007 5:13 PM EDT reply actions

My employer

could certainly use a push in the right direction. I rode to work today on my mountain bike, carrying a U-lock and a heavy cable, because there's no secure place for bike storage here. 38 miles round-trip on a mountain bike is hard enough without having to carry all that hardware. I'd be even more worried if I had my road bike here.

Eleven Nation Army: Ready to get rich off the other teams' lunch money

by Susie Hartigan on Mar 26, 2007 5:29 PM EDT reply actions

Updated Link

The link in the original article is related to last year's bill. Follow this link for capwiz help in supporting the 2007 bills. Which have been introduced by members of the majority (cf. last year). What was it that Barbara Boxer said to James Inohofe the other day? Oh, right. "Elections have consequences."

by Sui Juris on Mar 26, 2007 8:58 PM EDT reply actions

Fixed

Thanks for the update!

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 26, 2007 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Everything but the tunnel

Evidently I don't have it so bad. 5 mile commute each way. Showers at work, plenty of room in my office for the bike. Even some street cred for being willing to pedal through the tunnel.

Ah, yes... the tunnel between Oakland and Alameda. There's talk of a ferry to take people across the estuary, which sounds slow and like you'd have to wait for it. Probably take twice as long as pedaling.

But some tax code love would make it even more of a no-brainer. Huzzah.

by mychal on Mar 26, 2007 11:56 PM EDT reply actions

If only...

There was a shower and a place for my bike. My commute would be a fun ride to the commuter boat and a quick zip with the bike messengers to Boston's financial district. I saw a pair of Sidi MTB shoes in our coat closet, so someone has it figured out..

Vlaenderen die Leu

by Peter Fontecchio on Mar 27, 2007 7:14 AM EDT reply actions

The trickiest part

for me was always the clothes. Kind of hard to lay in a supply of suits and shirts for the week without looking like you're starting your own laundry operation.

by Sui Juris on Mar 27, 2007 8:54 AM EDT reply actions

Just wear the same clothes everyday

That's what I did back when I was an employee. But of course most of us wore shorts and t-shirts and, occasionally, shoes.

by ghisallo on Mar 27, 2007 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Of course the other problem

is that I could perspire on Antartica.. A shower doesn't help unless I have a good half hour cool down first..

Vlaenderen die Leu

by Peter Fontecchio on Mar 27, 2007 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

2 words

Baby wipes. I don't have shower facilities in my building so when I commute in I have a package of baby wipes in my desk drawer. After I sign in, boot up, check voicemail, etc, I feel I'm sufficiently cooled down. Off to the handicapped bathroom with a fresh change of clothes, some baby wipes, towel, and voila! Out 5 minutes later smelling fresh and ready to go.

It probably helps that I usually shower and shave before I ride in so I just have to get rid of the commuting sweat. It's served me well for 3 years and I've never had a complaint from any co-workers.

"I don't know too many monkeys who could take apart a fuel injector."

by Drew on Mar 27, 2007 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions

And the baby wipes aren't bad to have

around for that occasional boom-boom...

Vlaenderen die Leu

by Peter Fontecchio on Mar 28, 2007 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Now you've really

crossed the line. Let's just end it here.

"I don't know too many monkeys who could take apart a fuel injector."

by Drew on Mar 29, 2007 6:22 AM EDT up reply actions

define bike commuting

Has anyone read the proposed legislation to know what constitutes bike commuting? Specifically, I want to know how often I would have to commute to be eligible for these incentives... I can't commute everyday as I often have to pick up the boy from daycare.

by gravel road on Mar 27, 2007 2:25 PM EDT reply actions

Pretty minimal

Don't ask me to parse all this out, but it reads:

SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF TRANSPORTATION FRINGE BENEFIT TO BICYCLE COMMUTERS.

(a) In General- Paragraph (1) of section 132(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to general rule for qualified transportation fringe) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(D) Bicycle commuting allowance.'.

(b) Bicycle Commuting Allowance Defined- Paragraph (5) of section 132(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to definitions) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(F) BICYCLE COMMUTING ALLOWANCE- The term `bicycle commuting allowance' means an amount provided to an employee for transportation on a bicycle if such transportation is in connection with travel between the employee's residence and place of employment.'.

(c) Limitation on Exclusion- Subparagraph (A) of section 132(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to limitation on exclusion) is amended by striking `subparagraphs (A) and (B)' and inserting `subparagraphs (A), (B), and (D)'.

What it means is that up to x amount of your expenses as a bike commuter can be written off or reimbursed (?). So the more you bike, the more you can write off/get back.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 27, 2007 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions