Bike Commuters: Want $240 a Year? Read on!

In early 2009, the Bicycle Commuter Act was passed by Congress as part of the Renewable Energy Tax legislation.  Introduced by Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Portland, this bill is intended to defray some of the fixed costs associated with bicycle commuting by offering cyclists a $20/month stipend for equipment and maintenance.  You can qualify for this monthly allowance if:

1)    You use a bicycle for the majority of commuting trips, and

2)    You are not already be accepting other qualified transportation fringe benefits, such as those offered to transit riders.

This legislation attempts to extend to cyclists some of the same benefits already offered to employees who use transit or carpool.  It is administered through an employer’s commuter benefit provider, whether in-house or contracted.  The Bicycle Commuter Tax Provision offers a monetary incentive to people who choose a bicycle over a car in their daily commute, and though $20/month may not seem like much, $240 a year is a fair estimation of the cost for maintenance and care of a daily commuter cycle over the course of 12 months.  The League of American Bicyclists has put together an FAQ page here, including downloadable forms to submit to your employer.  Happy riding! -Luke Lamon

- Undriving intern Luke Lamon is studying Community, Environment, and Planning at the University of Washington.  Raising awareness of this tax credit is the aim of his senior project.