Pic from sfgate.com
Want to get paid to ride your bike to work? You may be able to, if Congress passes the Bicycle Commuters Benefits Act which was recently introduced to committee. The proposed legislation would give employers the option of reimbursing their bike commuting employees up to $100 per month tax-free.
Commuters who use other forms of transportation, such as buses, trains and carpools, currently benefit from a similar employer reimbursement program. Money refunded to bike commuters could help them recoup the expenses of commuting, such as bike maintenance, lights, locks, panniers and racks, etc.
More bike commuters would likely mean that advocacy groups such as the San Francisco Bike Coalition would gain more leverage in their work to fill potholes, construct bike lanes, and fight for safer streets. As more people discover bike commuting, they may want to join excellent clubs such as DSSF thus increasing our membership. Local bike shop owners would profit from the increased need for bikes, accessories and gear. And of course, the health, employee productivity and environmental benefits speak for themselves.
WHAT CAN I DO?Call, write or email Senators Feinstein and Boxer, let them know you support the Bicycle Commuters Benefits Act, S. 2635, and recommend that they co-sponsor the bill (as of September 1, 2006 they have not signed on as co-sponsors).
Sen. Barbara Boxer: 112 Hart Senate Office Building,Washington, DC 20510, (202) 224-3553, http://www.boxer.senate.gov/contact
Sen. Dianne Feinstein:331 Hart Senate Office Building,Washington, DC 20510, (202) 224-3841, http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/email.html
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?
Statement from Sen. Ron Wyden (Oregon) introducing the legislation:
http://bikesbelong.org/page.cfm?PageID=323
Read the text of the bill by accessing this link and clicking either the “Text” of “PDF” option:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-2635
List of public garages throughout San Francisco that provide bike parking for free (or for a minimal charge):
http://www.parks.sfgov.org/site/dptbike_page.asp?id=3840
Bicycle Commuter Act Talking Points:
http://www.bikeleague.org/news/060606adv.php
The Chain Letter 