Two recent bills have been introduced that would make use of bikeshare easier and cheaper for federal employees.
First of all, and most important to the DC area, is a bi-partisan bill that will allow DC-area federal employees who receive transit benefits to apply those benefits to bike-sharing (and ride-sharing, but who cares about that).
.@bikeshare IS included in bipartisan bill dropping this morning re: transit benefit during #SafeTrack. #bikedc pic.twitter.com/S7O3DMubsu
— Martin Di Caro (@MartinDiCaro) July 8, 2016
News release now out. pic.twitter.com/dE20jeFBkq
— Martin Di Caro (@MartinDiCaro) July 8, 2016
Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA) have introduced that bill. I don't the name of it or anything else, but Martin Di. Caro is all over it.
The other, known as the Government Travel Modernization Act, would allow federal employees to be reimbursed when they use ride and bike sharing services when traveling for government business. The bill is being introduced by Congressmen Will Hurd (R-TX) and Seth Moulton (D-MA).
The lawmakers say it would give federal workers greater flexibility by being able to summon a ride via a smartphone app, and that the legislation would also save taxpayers money and bring government travel into the 21st century to allow for reimbursement of the other services rather than just traditional ones, such as taxi cabs.
This is a good start. It would be even better if they also gave some $ for gym membership so cyclists can shower. The tax break on parking is far higher than most gym memberships.
Posted by: SJE | July 08, 2016 at 11:01 AM
Does the parking tax break only apply if an employee has business somewhere offsite and pays for parking, or does the parking tax break also apply to wherever their office is located?
Posted by: Barry | July 08, 2016 at 03:48 PM
Those are two different things.
Offsite - employees are reimbursed. No tax issue.
Onsite - tax free up to a very high limit
Posted by: washcycle | July 08, 2016 at 03:54 PM