Uncle Sam's Bike-to-Work Allowance

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I think it's a win win for everybody. The riders get a little incentive, the company gets healthy employees and the world has less polution. Also we riders save gas money and wear & tear on our vehicles. How can it be bad?

Tim O'Brien of PA 6:30PM February 12, 2010

If the company is struggling financially, I can't see how it would be motivated to participate. Really, I just do not see how anyone could bring this thing up to their superiors if the company has been losing $ by the millions and eliminating jobs to cut the losses.
Is there an allocation from the $700 billion bailout package to reimburse employers (as implied on the subj) or do employers shoulder the cost? Did I miss something?
At any rate, it is beneficial for some, and we should all be happy for them.

Curious of CA 1:34AM July 12, 2009

I've never ridden a bike to work. It just seems odd, but always interesting. ;)
Thanks,
Shayla
PS: Happy Father's Day to all the Oregonian fathers like you, Congressman Blumenauer

Shayla of VA 6:16PM June 21, 2009

My brother RJ usually rides a bike on the street, but not too far from my house. So thanks to you, Mr. Blumenauer the Bow-Tie Wearer.

Shayla of VA 4:23PM June 21, 2009

I love to ride my bike and at age 57 it can't hurt, so how do I get hooked up with the $ as well?
regards,
Doug Stone

Doug Stone of GA 11:23AM March 27, 2009

Waaaaah biking to work every day is too hard, that 20 bucks a month shouldn't be denied to me because I'd have to do something hard to get it, now please pass the bacon cheeseburgers and diet coke, whiiiiiine. Suck it up and bike or quit complaining about a measley 20 bucks! Jeez, you'd think drivers were actually suffering over this somehow.
Biking places isn't fun if there aren't any bike lanes or laws to protect you, which many many many places lack. Watching morons on cell phones stuff their faces in their SUVs as they nearly run you over should pay more than 20 bucks a month, lol.
People complain when unhealthy behaviours like smoking are taxed, and they also complain when healthy behaviours are positively reinforced. Just go wallow in your own cholesterol-scented mess already.

LoveDog of AR 6:58PM February 06, 2009

There are rude bicyclists. There are rude pedestrians. Everyone has an opinion about who is rude and who makes sense. I, personally, find it infuriating when pedestrians walk diagonally across parking lot lanes. But you don't enact legislation based on whose habits are annoying to whom.
I bike AND ride. Depends on the day. I try to do both responsibily. Would LOVE to have an allowance for both, am thrilled to have an allowance for one. ($240 a year pays for both in my world anyway - I can lube my own bike chain a couple of times a month and wear last sesason's New Balance from the sale rack.)
How about walkers form a lobby to be included? Positive action, that would be fantastic.
I am so happy about this I could do a little dance. Taking care of the planet in ways that don't harm others is a gooooood thing. :)

Hal of OR 1:19PM January 12, 2009

And I'm all for it! I save $$ for my employer by bicycling to (and at) work. I reduce dependence on oil, do very little harm to the environment, lower health care costs, and reduce infrastructure costs. I believe I deserve that allowance, and I'll be happy to take it.

Derrick Fogle of MO 3:29PM January 11, 2009

"What about all of us who can't be bothered to drive to work?" "What about all of us who live way out in the suburbs because we have to have a two-story, three car garage house with front and back yards even though our jobs are in the city?"
Well, sorry, this isn't for you. It's obviously hard for you to fathom that this bike incentive is worthwhile whether or not you personally receive the money. This helps all the people who do make the effort to bike to work in all states. Yes, there are people who bike to work in the rain and snow - not just those who live in Southern California. There are plenty of people who have busy lives and still take the time to bike an hour or more into work each day. I've done it and so have thousands of other people, I'm sure. This does, however benefit you by potentially removing tons of greenhouse gases and pollutants from the air, but you probably don't believe in global warming or pollution anyway.
Not every piece of legislation will benefit you financially. Deal with it.
Oh, and @ HillbillyBill from TN - Yeah, I'm sure all the people in congress are rolling in the dough now that they have a $20 a month bike incentive available. Of course, according to you they're only working a few months out of the year so it'll probably be an extra $100 at most. Big bonus indeed.

Tai of CA 9:14PM January 10, 2009

This is the stupidest thing I've heard in a while...how will it be documented, will employees have to reimburse the $20 if they decide to drive sometimes? What about people who don't live close enough to bike to work?
This guy just wants to "be green" and stupid all at the same time...nice gesture.

Mandie of FL 3:03PM January 02, 2009