Friday, May 21, 2010
US DOT announces Bicycle Commuter Tax Benefit for employees
At today's Reston Bike to Work Day pit stop we asked the crowd at various times during the event whether they received the Bicycle Commuter Tax Benefit. One person raised their hand during the entire time. One other employer, the winner of our Employer Challenge, National Wildlife Federation, also provides employees with the benefit.Why has it been so difficult for companies to provide this incentive to their bicycle commuting employees? The League of American Bicyclists published a Frequently Asked Questions about the tax provision. There's really no excuse for not providing the benefit. Today the US Department of Transportation announced they would provide the benefit to their employees:
For example, today DOT gave its employees a new bicycle commuting benefit. We signed it into effect right on our front steps surrounded by the DOTers who participated in today's Bike To Work Day festivities. This program allows bicyclists to receive reimbursement for qualified commuting costs similar to that provided to employees who take public transportation to and from work. And I'm particularly proud that DOT is the first Cabinet-level agency to make this benefit available.
Photo: US DOT employees who participated in Bike to Work Day.Labels: bicycle commuter tax benefit, transportation secretary LaHood, US DOT
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