The most recent piece of legislation supported by the Bike Caucus is Congressman Earl Blumenauer’s Bicycle Commuter Act, which allows employers to offer a fringe benefit of $20 per month for employees for the purchase of a bicycle and any bicycle improvements, repairs, or storage costs.
How the Legislation Works:
- For employees who regularly commute to work by bicycle, employers may offset the costs of bicycle purchase, improvement, repair, and storage at the rate of $20 per month. Based on how the employer chooses to offer the benefits, the employee may bring receipts to be reimbursed, may sign up for regular monthly payments, or devise some sort of voucher system with their employer.
- Bike commuters are not allowed to receive transit or parking benefits in addition to the bike benefit.
- The bike commuter benefit can be provided by employers beginning January 1, 2009.