Is your employer paying you to bike to work?

Wouldn’t it be great to be paid to ride your bike!? Well, hop in the saddle because that is what many businesses across the nation are doing – paying their employees to commute by bicycle.  Your two wheels are now recognized by the IRS as a “qualified transportation fringe benefit” which means that the costs (up to $20/month, $240/year) associated with riding your bike are eligible for reimbursement.  Things like spare tubes, bar tape, riding gloves, eye wear, cycling clothes, commuter bags, rain gear, lights, gloves, helmet, cost of maintenance, even the cost of a new commuter bike, basically anything you can purchase at a bike shop qualifies for reimbursement.

The Bicycle Commuter Benefit has been on the books since January 1, 2009, and more and more businesses are starting to use it! Through our Bicycle Friendly Business program we have compiled a list of businesses – big, small, east coast, west coast, and everywhere in between – that are encouraging pedaling through this benefit. Take a look at the list of BFB applicants who offer the benefit. This list is just a sample of participating businesses. There are a lot more out there. If you are aware of any we didn’t include, let us know. We’ll add them to the list. To learn more about how your business can implement the benefit visit our Commuter Benefit FAQs page.

~Ailson Dewey
Program Specialist, Bicycle Friendly America