Fresno County Bicycle Coalition

Archive for May, 2009

Cars influence parenting styles and behavior– and, in turn, both help create dependent children. 

For some reason, it's not obvious to people that dependence on the automobile is inversely linked to their health. The more you drive, the poorer your health will be. Drive less, and not only will your life slow down and become less stressful, but you will be getting more exercise as you walk and bike to get around.

A headline in the news today proclaims, "Car-driven society poses health risk for Americans." Reduce your risk for obesity and heart disease. Readjust your lifestyle and make the choice to drive less.

Most people calculate the cost of driving by figuring how much gas they use. But miles-per-gallon is only one of the expenses car owners pay. Besides the cost of the vehicle, there is maintenance, repairs, insurance, parking, tolls, and a litany of woes. What does it all add up to? You could keep detailed records, or you could use a handy online calculator to estimate the cost. Take a look at the True Cost of Driving Calculator. But sit down first, this is going to be a bit of shock.

In the interests of full disclosure, here is the very much delayed release of the results from all teams and solo riders registered for the 2009 Corporate Challenge.

Yesterday morning ABC 30 Itica Milanes supported the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Trails Master Plan survey during the morning news show at 5:30 and 6:30 AM. The Plan was featured in the teaser at the start of the show, as well as, a live interview. See attached link below.
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=6828003

Fresno, CA (KFSN) — There’s a major effort underway to make Fresno more bike and pedestrian friendly. But before the new bike racks are set up around town, city leaders want to get your input on the plans.

Watch video above for more..

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Take the City of Fresno’s bike survey at www.fresnoBMP.com

Background

On January 1, 2009, the qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement was added to the list of qualified transportation fringe benefits covered in section 132 (f) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.

The Bicycle Commuter Act was in front of Congress for seven years, and finally passed as an inclusion to the larger Renewable Energy Tax Credit legislation in 2008. The original intent of the provision was to provide a simple, equitable solution to put cyclists on the same footing as people who receive qualified transportation benefits (QTF)’s for taking transit or driving (or parking, actually) their cars to and from work. It was intended that the bike commuting benefit would be treated the same as the other QTF’s.

The total anticipated cost of the provision, estimated by the Joint Committee on Taxation, is a very modest $1 million per year, as compared to the $4.5 billion annual cost of parking and transit benefits.

Bicycle Commuter Tax Reimbursement Cards

The Leauge developed reimbursement cards to make implementing the Bicycle Commuter Act in your workplace as easy as possible. Simply sign the pledge on the card that states you commuted to work by bike for at least three days per week, and then staple your receipts to the card. Download reimbursement cards for your workplace.

What costs are covered?

The intent of this provision is to help defray some of those fixed costs such as; the purchase of a decent commuter bicycle; bike lock; helmet; bike parking facilities; shower facilities; and general maintenance. The real costs associated with bike commuting are much less than commuting by car but those bike commuters should be able to have help with those costs. Employers might not think this is a huge benefit to them but giving people a little financial incentive is another step in the right direction to build moral.

What is considered a bicycle commuting month?

A qualified bicycle commuting month is any month in which an employee: (I) regularly uses a bicycle for a substantial portion of the travel between his residence and his place of employment, and (II) does not receive any other qualified transportation benefit for such as transit, and parking.

Who is Eligible under Section 132?

As a rule, the qualified transportation fringe benefit can only be provided by employers to employees. Common law employees and officers of corporations are eligible (the law does not include non-discrimination requirements for the benefit). Sole proprietors, partners, independent contractors and two-percent shareholders of S corporations are not eligible for this transportation fringe benefit.

How it Currently Works:

A qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement, means any employer, if they chose to do so, may provide a reimbursement of up to $20 per month for reasonable expenses incurred by the employee in conjunction with their commute to work by bike.

Please note however, that unlike the other qualified transportation fringe benefits, a qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement benefit cannot be funded through employee pre-tax income, nor can an employee receive both the transit and bicycle QTF in the same month.

What Can Be Done?

Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced H.R. 863 on February 4, 2009, to amend the IRS section 132 (f) to allow employees to fund the bike provision through a pre-tax income, as well as allow the use of both the transit and bike benefit it the same month. Click here to see entire bill. H.R. 863 was referred to the committee on Ways and Means however there has been no action at this time. We will continue to monitor and provide updates for action.

How to Get the Bike Benefit Now?

· First, talk to your employer and tell them you want this benefit. If there are other bike commuters in your office, tell them to speak up too!

· If your employer already contracts with a Commuter Benefit Provider, ask the person who coordinates these benefits to request enrollment in the bike benefit program. If the provider doesn’t offer it, find out when they plan to implement it- it’s law as of January 1, 2009.

· If your benefit provider does not offer it or plan to offer it have your benefits folks contact Accor Services. Accor is a leading provider of transportation benefits commuter solutions in the United States, and they are implementing the commuter check solution for bicycle commuters. Commuter Check for Bicycling™ vouchers are the most convenient solution available to take advantage of the $20 per month Bicycle Benefit, authorized by the IRS to begin January 1, 2009. Commuter Check for Bicycling vouchers are available through Accor Services’ Commuter Check Office online ordering platform. Employers purchase them just as they do standard Commuter Check vouchers. They offer the same security and terms of use as standard Commuter Checks. Employees can take the vouchers they receive to any dedicated bicycle shop or bicycle parking or storage location to redeem their value. Interested employers and employees can visit Accor Services, to get more information and sign up for the program.

· If your employer prefers to manage transit benefits in-house, rather than with a Commuter Benefit Provider, the employer can implement a cash reimbursement program.

· The key point to consider in setting up a cash reimbursement program is that there is a mechanism for the employee to certify that they will commute to work by bike a substantial portion of the month (that could 60% of the time as an example). Additionally, employee keeps their receipts for covered expenses and turns them into the employer for reimbursement up to $20 a month or $240 per year.

For More Information:

· Text of Original Bicycle Benefit Bill (HR 1424, Sec. 211)

· RS Publication 15-B (2009), “Employer’s Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits” (See Section 2, “Transportation (Commuting) Benefits”)

· Accor Services: Commuter Bicycle Benefit for Employers

The Commuter Benefit is real and in effect- it is the same as all other pre-tax benefits for transit and parking currently available by the IRS. (See Section 2, “Transportation (Commuting) Benefits” of the IRS Publication 15-B (2009), Employer’s Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits)

If your company elects to offer this benefit, you can receive up to $20 a month for each month you commute primarily by bike, so long as you don’t accept any of the other transit benefit.

Many employers contract with a Commuter Benefit Provider to coordinate these programs, so have your benefit coordinator call the provider to request enrollment in the bike benefit program. As of April 2009, the SFBC has not confirmed any providers who offer the bike benefit other than Accor Services. But other providers are looking to initiate this program, so call and tell them you want it!

How to get the bike benefit at your work:

· First, talk to your employer and tell them you want this benefit. If there are other bike commuters in your office, tell them to speak up too! Make sure to mention that employers also save money by participating (about 9.5% of their FICA contribution).

· If your employer already contracts with a Commuter Benefit Provider, ask the person who coordinates these benefits to request enrollment in the bike benefit program. If the provider doesn’t offer it, find out when they plan to implement it- it’s law as of January 1, 2009. If your employer is looking for more information, a list of providers is available from the SF Department of the Environment.

· If your employer prefers to manage transit benefits in-house, rather than with a Commuter Benefit Provider, the bike benefit works exactly as the other transit benefits. Keep your receipts and turn them in to the employer for a total $240 deduction at the end of the year. (Note: very few employers actually do this in house. Confirm your employer’s participation before going on a spending spree!)

How to qualify for the benefit:

· Ride your bike for a substantial portion of your commute.

· Accept only the $20 benefit for biking for transit benefits. Unfortunately, the law prohibits people from accepting both the transit benefit and biking in the same month. The SFBC is working to fix this by helping Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR) pass H.R. 863.

· Use the money for a bicycle and bicycle improvements, repair or storage at your local shop!

For More Info:

· Text of Original Bicycle Benefit Bill (HR 1424, Sec. 211)

· IRS Publication 15-B (2009), “Employer’s Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits” (See Section 2, “Transportation (Commuting) Benefits”)

· Rep. Blumenauer’s H.R. 863 to amend the current Bike Benefit Law

· Text of San Francisco Ordinance 199-08 (PDF) requiring transit benefits for specific employers

· American League of Bicyclists Commuter Benefit FAQ

· Accor Services: Commuter Bicycle Benefit for Employers

Editors note: Occasionally we publish submissions from friends of the blog. Kimberly Stewart, team captain of the Kaiser Permanente team, Broccoli Bikers, sent in this excellent write-up of the Kaiser Permanente bike to work day activities. Enjoy!

The Bicycle Master Plan is in the news! This from ABC 30 Action News: “There’s a major effort underway to make Fresno more bike and pedestrian friendly. But before the new bike racks are set up around town, city leaders want to get your input on the plans.” The story and the video are available on the KFSN Web site.

Greetings. It is 1423 hours, and an appropriate time to begin this little exercise in _________. You decide what goes into the blank. This may turn out to be a hollow amusement, or it (hopefully) could become a way to actually communicate important ideas, start discussions, rant, rave, and maybe even encourage others to ride! The three R’s? The League has a list of E’s. Not be be outdone, le Poseur has a list of R’s!!! 

The idyllic, romantic bicycle lifestyle…GETS SQUASHED INTO ROAD-KILLED REALITY!

The bottom line! It always comes down to the bottom line!

I need to get real and get honest: I can be bought by as little as $150 on the 28th of the month!

I don’t know about you, but I am broke! It was easy for me, being unemployed, to righteously chant off the hundred million platitudinous perks of clean air bike commuting–until yesterday, when the plumber handed me a bill for $400! I can bite my lip and shuffle funds, this time. But honestly, my unemployment status can’t continue for much longer! The bottom line: we, as a family, recognized yesterday, that I need to get a job that pays money–sooner, rather than later!

I am starting a volunteer position tomorrow with a clean air non-profit organization. Frankly, this is a fantasy come true. In fact, the possibility of working in the clean air field is so ironically fantastic to me, given my clean air research and writing background, that I never even considered it a remote possibility (I have never taken the direct route to happiness and fulfillment!). How Perfect! The clean air organization will want me to be a complete bike commuter!

Then I got a call at noon today offering me money from heaven! I quickly discover just how cheaply I can be bought off! The bottom line–I will get a check for $150, written from an estate…and all I have to do is drive a car to Visalia!

Help! I need a “pollution Solution” lifeline!