Bikes Make a Step Towards the Mainstream

I'm sure most of you are still hung over from celebrating Friday's passage of H.R. 2776, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act, and as part of that, The Bike Commuter Act. While I have yet to see mention of this part of the larger act outside of other bicycle related blogs, this is a pretty big deal, and has been at the forefront of League of American Bicyclists advocacy for sometime. 

This will allow for employers to offer a tax free $20 per month incentive to employees as part of the Transportation Fringe Benefit. While still a long way off from the $215 per month for parking and $110 per month for transit/vanpooling, its a pretty good start that I'm sure will have a large impact on the DC area with most (all?) federal jobs in the area offering this benefit. I only hope the $20 gets used for biking, and doesn't end up with the same fate of many metrochecks.

If your employer offers this benefit, drop the League a note and say thanks, or better yet, if you're not a member go sign up. This is evidence of what your money goes for. I'll be sure to thank Blumenauer on Sunday when he kicks off Bridge Pedal here in Portland.

Oh, by the way H.R. 2776 also closed tax breaks for oil companies and Hummer buyers, seeks to reengage the world on greenhouse emissions not to mention funding for wind, solar and bio-fuel technologies.

Comments

[washcycle]

Awesome. Rep. Patrick McHenry wins my tool of the month award BTW.
http://mchenry.house.gov/multimedia/

[Grendel]

"Tool" is putting it lightly. The guy sounds like he's channeling Rush Limbaugh.

[Chris]

I posted my own comments on McHenry here:
http://www.racingunion.org/CommentView,guid,ea22c460-608c-4166-b86d-66bbf4453ea5.aspx

[w]

its about time ...the feds have way too much of a suburban oriented workforce in DC- and they basically totally ignore the needs of bicycle commuters. Where I work they actually took away the one bike rack for my building- and the same month had the NERVE to declare it "Environmental awareness Month" and emphasized re-cycling, turning off lights when you leave the room, etc...all of this and they heavily encourage car/SUV commuting by providing special buses to carry those who do not wish to walk to distant parking lots- how much do these buses cost? 100 K a pop....Subsidized parking should be eliminated and tax benefits for those who live closest to their jobs should be put into effect.The present Metrocheck system is at odds with common sense- the farther out you live- the more $$$ you get on your subway -smart card every month. This is a de-facto subsidy of suburbia- and if anything- people who live close to work should be rewarded MORE. Even if they made the subsidy the same for everyone- I would not complain.