Ablang
October 13th 08, 04:07 PM
Look at the last 3 paragraphs of this article. Anyone else has jobs
this cool that encourage you not to use your car?
http://www.sacbee.com/304/story/1305884.html
Bailout has a boost for bike commuters
By Tony Bizjak -
Last Updated 10:02 am PDT Saturday, October 11, 2008
Story appeared in OUR REGION section, Page B1
Bicycle commuters, Congress has your back.
Buried deep in the federal Emergency Economic Stabilization Act – the
$700 billion Wall Street bailout – is an unexpected boost for the
greenest of commuters.
With a tax-code change, beginning in January, companies can give up to
$20 a month to workers who pedal to work. It would be tax-free to
cycling commuters, and a tax write-off for employers.
Riders would use the subsidy to defray commute costs, such as bike
tires or lights, helmets or rental fees for bike lockers at work.
The author, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., said cyclists deserve a
subsidy – albeit small – like the handouts some companies offer
commuters who use transit or carpools, and even car drivers for
parking costs.
"We shouldn't discriminate against people who burn calories instead of
fossil fuel," said Blumenauer, who bikes daily to his congressional
office.
Blumenauer, ironically, voted against his own bill this month because
it was inserted at the last minute with other energy measures into the
mammoth bailout package, which he opposed.
"It's frustrating," he said.
Sacramento cyclists, however, pronounced it good news.
"It's about time," said Walt Seifert of Sacramento Area Bicycle
Advocates. "I hope employers jump on the chance to offer it."
Employers who offer a subsidy can determine who qualifies and how much
they should get.
Several cyclists joked they'd use it to buy alternative fuel –
Starbucks coffee.
"Hey, it's replacing the calories I burn," said Phil Vulliet, an
engineer with Mark Thomas and Co. in Sacramento.
Mega-rider Carlos Casillas, who rides "rain or shine" between Davis
and work downtown, figures he could save three months' worth and buy
"some rubber." Good bike tires cost up to $60, but last only 3,000
miles. Casillas rode that much last May alone, during the region's
annual bike mileage competition.
Census data from 2007 show that just 1.8 percent of Sacramento
commuters ride bikes to work, although riders say they are seeing more
cyclists on the streets this year because of higher gas prices.
Advocate Seifert and others say the federal subsidy serves as a
statement that cyclists are equal members of Sacramento's commute
society.
But Marilyn Bryant, a downtown transportation coordinator for
businesses, said it may take some time before government agencies
offer the subsidies because many of their employee benefits are part
of negotiated union contracts.
Jack Paddon, a principal with Williams + Paddon Architects + Planners
in Roseville, said it's something his company would consider.
"It's not a huge incentive," he said. "But it could be one of those
enhancements to get more folks to consider bicycles as a commuting
option."
As the bike commuting population grows, however, employers face new
expenses, including providing bike parking, showers and even company
cars for meetings.
One bike commuter, J.J. Hurley, says the federal subsidy idea is
great, but he doesn't need it.
His employer, the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management
District, already offers employees $4.25 to spend as they please every
day they ride a bike to work. It matches the transit incentive the
agency offers employees.
"It's a cool subsidy," Hurley said. Plus, it makes sense for him. "I
work in land use. I have to practice what I preach."
this cool that encourage you not to use your car?
http://www.sacbee.com/304/story/1305884.html
Bailout has a boost for bike commuters
By Tony Bizjak -
Last Updated 10:02 am PDT Saturday, October 11, 2008
Story appeared in OUR REGION section, Page B1
Bicycle commuters, Congress has your back.
Buried deep in the federal Emergency Economic Stabilization Act – the
$700 billion Wall Street bailout – is an unexpected boost for the
greenest of commuters.
With a tax-code change, beginning in January, companies can give up to
$20 a month to workers who pedal to work. It would be tax-free to
cycling commuters, and a tax write-off for employers.
Riders would use the subsidy to defray commute costs, such as bike
tires or lights, helmets or rental fees for bike lockers at work.
The author, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., said cyclists deserve a
subsidy – albeit small – like the handouts some companies offer
commuters who use transit or carpools, and even car drivers for
parking costs.
"We shouldn't discriminate against people who burn calories instead of
fossil fuel," said Blumenauer, who bikes daily to his congressional
office.
Blumenauer, ironically, voted against his own bill this month because
it was inserted at the last minute with other energy measures into the
mammoth bailout package, which he opposed.
"It's frustrating," he said.
Sacramento cyclists, however, pronounced it good news.
"It's about time," said Walt Seifert of Sacramento Area Bicycle
Advocates. "I hope employers jump on the chance to offer it."
Employers who offer a subsidy can determine who qualifies and how much
they should get.
Several cyclists joked they'd use it to buy alternative fuel –
Starbucks coffee.
"Hey, it's replacing the calories I burn," said Phil Vulliet, an
engineer with Mark Thomas and Co. in Sacramento.
Mega-rider Carlos Casillas, who rides "rain or shine" between Davis
and work downtown, figures he could save three months' worth and buy
"some rubber." Good bike tires cost up to $60, but last only 3,000
miles. Casillas rode that much last May alone, during the region's
annual bike mileage competition.
Census data from 2007 show that just 1.8 percent of Sacramento
commuters ride bikes to work, although riders say they are seeing more
cyclists on the streets this year because of higher gas prices.
Advocate Seifert and others say the federal subsidy serves as a
statement that cyclists are equal members of Sacramento's commute
society.
But Marilyn Bryant, a downtown transportation coordinator for
businesses, said it may take some time before government agencies
offer the subsidies because many of their employee benefits are part
of negotiated union contracts.
Jack Paddon, a principal with Williams + Paddon Architects + Planners
in Roseville, said it's something his company would consider.
"It's not a huge incentive," he said. "But it could be one of those
enhancements to get more folks to consider bicycles as a commuting
option."
As the bike commuting population grows, however, employers face new
expenses, including providing bike parking, showers and even company
cars for meetings.
One bike commuter, J.J. Hurley, says the federal subsidy idea is
great, but he doesn't need it.
His employer, the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management
District, already offers employees $4.25 to spend as they please every
day they ride a bike to work. It matches the transit incentive the
agency offers employees.
"It's a cool subsidy," Hurley said. Plus, it makes sense for him. "I
work in land use. I have to practice what I preach."