October 9, 2008
Bailout to Benefit Bicyclists
While many of us are flipping kittens over the $700 billion bailout, some of it will help you cyclists out there who use their wheels as a primary mode of transportation. According to the Gate:
Starting in January, workers who use two-wheelers as their primary transportation mode to get to and from work will be eligible for a $20-a-month, tax-free reimbursement from their employers for bicycle-related expenses. In return, employers will be able to deduct the expense from their federal taxes.
Yay! But: $20? Doubling that wouldn't hurt anyone, would it? Sheesh. Anyway, your sweet $20 bill a month can be used to help "purchase, store, maintain or repair" the wheels you use for your regular commute. Or you can use that cash to buy a much-needed case of Ban Roll-On. The choice is yours, cyclists!
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Thanks Wall Street dudes.
hahaha!
240 a year? Damn, how can I abuse the system? I've got a bike that doesn't work right now.
If your employer can be bothered administering it for $20/month...
20$ per employee. creative accounting here we come. have you ever ridden a bicycle while employed at widgets.com? that's another 240$ off our bill!
Akit - we will not be able to abuse it. Sadly if you take this benefit you can't get commuter checks...
For anyone who thinks this is nutso, remember you can get 11 times that - $220 per month - in tax benefits for parking your car... now THAT'S nutso... Ross agrees - employers in SF will have to allow employees to participate in commuter checks, the new bike benefit, give passes or do vanpools, but no mandate or credit for the parking perk.
I'd like to get the last four years reimbursed. $960.
Thanks for the insulting drop in the bucket, Congresss!
Can't get Commuter Checks? That sucks. I save nearly 25% on my bus rides to work. (1.15 per Muni ride on Commuter Check, vs. 1.50)
people still use ban roll-on
From the Washington Post online today, as stock market plunges again:
GM stock leads the way after prediction that global auto industry may see "outright collapse" in 2009.
Good timing for the bike benefit!
Just more support for the terrorists. Those two wheeled scofflaws will all vote for their terrorist buddy obama, too.
Not allowing a combination of bike benefit and commuter check is the dumbest thing ever. Having a bus pass is a good alternative when it is raining out or your bike gets a flat and you don't have time to change the tube.
This is a great benefit and I'm glad for it, but it could be a whole lot better.
I want to know where my reimbursement for all the wear and tear on my shoes is. Why must pedestrians be discriminated against?
Also, I want a massive tax break for not owning a car. It's the least the government can do considering they shelled out tax breaks to Hummer owners for years.
bluecanary - you are getting a tax break as you are freeloading by crossing crosswalks in THE ROADS THAT YOU DID NOT PAY FOR BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT PAYING DMV REGISTRATION! PEDESTRIANS SHOULD BE LICENSED IF THEY WANT TO USE THE ROADS! YOU FREELOADER!
Sigh. One of those days...
Wow ... sensitive much?
I agree its stupid to ban the commuter checks .... for folks who live out by the zoo or other parts on the other side of the universe (from my point of view), why shouldn't they be able to ride public transit with their bikes and then bike ride the rest of the way into their workplace?
And I jokingly add - can a brother get $20 a month for wear and tear on his shoes for walking to work? We're using the cheapest, safest, quietest means of transit out there as full-time pedestrians.
This sounds like a program just waiting to get abused ... how do you spell "not well thought out policy?"
@ how do you spell "not well thought out policy?"
B-A-I-L-O-U-T
@murphastahoe: I'm going to assume you're kidding, but on the off chance you aren't, vehicle registration fees do not begin to cover the cost of road repairs, crosswalks, etc. That comes out of the very hefty taxes everyone pays.
Besides, tear the damn streets out, for all I care. I have no problem walking on soil.
You wonder why California has the worst highway roads in the nation. Seriously, we are number one. But I love it when you drive to Reno and cross the border, and say ahhhh... smooth pavement.
bluecanary, I'm just sharing with you the love that the motorists have been so generous in giving me when we discuss tax breaks for cycle commuting...
Pennyfarthings rule!