Browne
03-21-2003, 03:40 PM
This here is an excerpt from the League of American Bicyclists Newsletter.
This act rocks, cause it would mean the gov't. would give us bicycle commuters some cash back! So call your representative now in support of this!
Your senator/rep's phone # can be found at:
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
BIKE COMMUTER ACT IS BACK
During the National Bike Summit®, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL) re-introduced the Bike Commuter Act, legislation to allow employees who bike to work the same financial incentives available for parking and mass transit. The bill would change the Transportation Fringe Benefit of the tax code to include bike commuters. “It's time to level the playing field for bicycle commuters,” said Blumenauer. “Bicycling is one of the cleanest, healthiest and environmentally friendly modes of transportation that exists today. People who bike to work should have the same financial incentives as those who use transit or participate in a qualified parking plan.”
Currently, employers may offer a Transportation Fringe Benefit to employees for commuting to work. Employees who take advantage of this program may receive a tax exemption benefit totaling $180 for participating in qualified parking plans or $100 for transit and vanpool expenses. Employees may also opt to take cash compensation instead, which is subject to employment taxes. The Bike Commuter Act would extend these same Transportation Fringe Benefits to employees who choose to commute by bicycle.
“Across the country people are working to create more livable communities that include reduced traffic congestion, improved air quality, and increased neighborhood safety,” said Blumenauer. “The federal government should do its part to support these goals by providing transportation benefits to people who choose to commute in a healthy, environmental, and neighborhood-friendly fashion.”
This act rocks, cause it would mean the gov't. would give us bicycle commuters some cash back! So call your representative now in support of this!
Your senator/rep's phone # can be found at:
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
BIKE COMMUTER ACT IS BACK
During the National Bike Summit®, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL) re-introduced the Bike Commuter Act, legislation to allow employees who bike to work the same financial incentives available for parking and mass transit. The bill would change the Transportation Fringe Benefit of the tax code to include bike commuters. “It's time to level the playing field for bicycle commuters,” said Blumenauer. “Bicycling is one of the cleanest, healthiest and environmentally friendly modes of transportation that exists today. People who bike to work should have the same financial incentives as those who use transit or participate in a qualified parking plan.”
Currently, employers may offer a Transportation Fringe Benefit to employees for commuting to work. Employees who take advantage of this program may receive a tax exemption benefit totaling $180 for participating in qualified parking plans or $100 for transit and vanpool expenses. Employees may also opt to take cash compensation instead, which is subject to employment taxes. The Bike Commuter Act would extend these same Transportation Fringe Benefits to employees who choose to commute by bicycle.
“Across the country people are working to create more livable communities that include reduced traffic congestion, improved air quality, and increased neighborhood safety,” said Blumenauer. “The federal government should do its part to support these goals by providing transportation benefits to people who choose to commute in a healthy, environmental, and neighborhood-friendly fashion.”