The Bikeleague reports that after 7 years of being tossed back and forth, the bike commuter tax benefit has finally passed both House and Senate, as part of the $700B financial services bailout package. President Bush signed the legislation almost immediately, and it is now law.
Thanks to everyone who wrote to their legislators, and special thanks to Congressman Blumenauer and Senator Wyden, for their ongoing effort to bring a tax benefit to Americans who commute by bike.
What does this legislation mean?
The bottom line is, you can get up to $20/month tax-free from your employer, if he feels like giving it to you, to reimburse you for your bike commuting expenses. Your employer can write it off as a business expense. This benefit goes into effect at the beginning of the year 2009.
The reimbursement can be “for the purchase of a bicycle and bicycle improvements, repair, and storage, if such bicycle is regularly used for travel between the employee’s residence and place of employment.”
This is similar to the tax-free reimbursements offered to transit riders, and cannot be combined with those. Multimodal commuters already getting the transit benefit cannot get the bike benefit too.
Full text of the legislation follows, as the link we supplied earlier expires: [continue reading…]
from Kristen Steele, Thunderhead’s Director of Outreach and Development:
Thunderhead Alliance is the national coalition of bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations. We are the only national organization with a mission to create, strengthen and unite state and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations. We have 135 member organizations in 49 states and in Canada.
We are seeking a Research Assistant to work with the Alliance’s National Bicycling and Walking Benchmarking Project. The Research Assistant will report to the Benchmarking Project Coordinator. The Benchmarking Project collects and analyzes data from all 50 states and the top 50 cities (by population) on bicycling, walking, and health. Find more info on the project at http://www.thunderheadalliance.org/benchmarking
We are looking for someone who can dedicate 10- 20 hours a week from October 2008 through September 2009. Funding for this position ends in September 2009, but there may be potential to continue contract if additional funding is secured. [continue reading…]
Last weekend’s Virginian-Pilot ran another article about Chesapeake’s Dominion Bl. Steel Bridge, highlighting the complexity of the issue and the clash of competing attitudes. (Attitudes indeed!) Now it seems the truth is being kicked to the gutter, along with the most vulnerable road users — pedestrians — as city officials exaggerate the cost of the bike/ped portion of the project.
Previously we published an essay by Bruce Drees and the Tidewater Bicycling Association, which makes the case for bike and pedestrian access. It’s well worth reading for all concerned.
This is an important issue. Stay tuned.
Seth Godin’s latest talk on marketing for non-profits is well worth a listen for bike advocates. Let’s face it — our communications skills and sensibilities are so 15 years ago. Godin explains how we need to learn to “flip the funnel,” and “turn it into a megaphone.” So turn off the talking heads this weekend, and listen to someone who can teach you how to make a difference.
Here’s a direct link to the mp3.
Courtesy of Network for Good, also a great resource.
from the Bikeleague (League of American Bicyclists)
We understand that the United States Senate may vote on an energy legislation package this week, (The Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008), which will provide a number of incentives to promote clean energy sources.
The Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, also includes the bicycle commuter tax benefit provision, previously introduced by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). The provision provides for qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement for such reasonable expenses incurred by an employee for the purchase of a bicycle, bicycle improvements, repair, and storage.
The Senate is expected to vote on this legislation either tomorrow Thursday, September 18, or Friday, the 19th. Please take a moment to contact your Senator to urge them to vote yes on the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008:
Click here to take action
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
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Update: the bike commuter tax benefit has passed both houses of congress as part of the $700B financial services bailout package, and was signed into law by President Bush.
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