Biking benefit in transit...bailout assists commuters

Questions remain on how incentive will be carried out

By Susan Chandler | Tribune reporter
December 15, 2008

It was one of the more quirky provisions attached to the $700 billion financial bailout plan: a $20 monthly benefit for employees who regularly bike to work.

Read more here:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/green/chi-mon-bike...

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Permalink Reply by T. Mo on December 15, 2008 at 5:12am

Wow, this is AWESOME. Only thing is, how do we get our companies to do this? I work for the type of place that would just play dumb. I just talked to one of the higer-ups and asked "who would I talk to about this?" and she replied "Rod Blago".

It's amazing how quickly bikers are still getting dismissed.

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Permalink Reply by heather s on December 15, 2008 at 5:19am

I've read the language in the bailout bill, and it doesn't seem to me that there is a mandate for employers to offer the benefit, merely the option. It is also federal legislation that has nothing to do with Blago.

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Permalink Reply by T. Mo on December 15, 2008 at 5:20am

No, I realize that... I pointed that out to her as well. She was basically telling me that there was nobody to talk to.

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Permalink Reply by Ethan Spotts on December 16, 2008 at 5:01am

We've provided a bit more information and some links here:

http://www.activetrans.org/blog/atsuruta/bicycle-commuter-tax-provi...

Ethan Spotts,
Active Transportation Alliance