Bicycle Commuter Act

[Chris Scherer]

McGraw-Hill is working to roll out a program to provide benefits to employees under the Bicycle Commuter Act by January 1, 2009.

 

The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) summarizes the act like this: "The original intent was that an employer could now provide up to $20 a month in incentives related to an employee's bike commuting, to include, but not limited to, bike parking facilities, shower facilities, and maintenance then deduct that amount from their taxable income. Again, we will work with IRS to establish more guidance for interested employers." To qualify, the bicycle commuter "must regularly [use] the bicycle for a substantial portion of the travel between the employee's residence and place of employment." The LAB adds: "Two options that employers currently use to administer qualified transportation fringe benefits programs for their employees are; cash reimbursement and employee paid pre-tax benefit option. Both of these would work for the bicycle benefit as well."

Unfortunately, there's little guidance available regarding validating who is participating. For either option, how do you determine who regularly uses a bike for a substantial portion of travel to and from work? Who verifies that you rode your bike to work? How do you document that somebody rode to work?

 

Does anybody have any experience with rolling out such a program? It would be great to share your experience with other employers.

 

Thanks

 

Chris

--
ó^o "Bicycling is a very simple solution to many complicated problems in the world." --- John Burke, Trek president

[Jennifer Benepe]

Will forward your question to another e-group, ebikes in NYC. I think there are some people who know the answer to this
Jen Benepe