May 21, 2003 – Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced legislation today in the U.S. Senate that would extend the transportation fringe benefit in the tax code to people who commute to work on their bicycles.
The transportation fringe benefit was added to the tax code as an incentive to get more people to use alternative modes of transportation for commuting. The goal was to reduce traffic congestion, pollution and wear and tear on the roads.
The Bicycle Commuter Act, S. 1093, would allow an employer to offer a monthly cash reimbursement to an employee who commutes to work by bicycle, providing a tax benefit to the employer and helping defray commuting expenses for the bicyclist. “This straightforward but significant addition not only provides fairness to commuters traveling by bike, but would also help achieve the broader goals of the transportation fringe benefit provision by encouraging healthy, environmental, community-oriented commuting,” said Snowe.
S. 1093 is a companion measure to H.R. 1052 introduced earlier this year by Congressmen Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Mark Foley (R-FL). According to Blumenauer, “The upcoming TEA-21 reauthorization is a perfect opportunity to examine all approaches to improve and support mobility options for Americans, making this the time to pass the Bike Commuter Act. Today's introduction of the Bike Commuter Act in the Senate shows that this legislation is gaining momentum at a crucial time.”
Elissa Margolin, Executive Director of the League, said, “We look forward to working with Senators Snowe and Wyden as well as Congressmen Blumenauer and Foley to move this legislation through Congress.”
The League of American Bicyclists promotes cycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of 42 million American cyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit