Tude 

While I know there's been some threads on this - I don't recall anyone's company doing this (or maybe I missed it).

I have several people asking me about it here at work (community college) and we have the "ear" of the Dean of my school - who is a bicyclist as well. Kind of wondering how far we can push it in these hard times.

Told them I'd ask you peeps as this is a pretty lively commuter forum!

Thx!

tuind13

Nope. My employer is in the business of collecting taxes, not paying them. I'm a bit bummed by that.

gmule

Not yet. It is on the HR agenda to have completed 1st quarter

InfiniteRegress

I work for the Federal government and we've been told they are unable to do this because of the transit benefit provided to Federal employees (at least this is true in the DC Metro area and am not sure if it applies to Federal agencies located outside of the DC area). Granted, this is just what I heard via our local bike listserv. It may not be the gospel.

downtube42

Not yet. I'd like to approach HR but they're kinda busy terminating hundreds of people.

Bikeforumuser0013

As reported by Paul Dorn on the Bike Commute Tips Blog, BikeBux.com will be the new place to get information on the Bicycle Commuter Act.

So far, the website is empty, but "coming soon."

skylla

My employer was planning to offer vouchers that we could sign up to get in lieu of the same amount of regular pay, like they do for the transit benefit. But then it turned out that the vouchers (from Accor Services) wouldn't be available until March, and also Publication 15-B was revised to say that the bicycle benefits can't be provided in place of pay.

So now I don't know what they'll do. It's a nice, progressive company, but also chronically short of money.

wgaynor

My employers CFO cannot find the information to impliment this. She has reviewed all of the info I have given her, but she said it is not enough for the company to apply for the reimbursement. I have a feeling that, with me being the only commuter ...thus an oddball, that they aren't trying very hard.

Eggplant Jeff

My company (which has a lot of bike commuters, maybe 7 out of 20 people?) says you can only get it INSTEAD of the mass transit reimbursement (that's the way they understand the law, not their own policy). So my choice is $25/month for biking costs, or $115/month for transit costs. Hmm, no one is clamoring for the bike one...

Of course we're also in downtown Philly, there are lots of places where the IS no mass transit to reimburse for.

huhenio

I am just happy to be able to ride the darn thing.

Artkansas 

I'll have to check with the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services. They seem to think giving me an unemployment check is enough.

Tude 

Thx everyone ... we're following up with our company again.

BroadSTPhilly

My company is doing it sort of. We are a small company (less than 50 employees) and the Capo de Capos has agreed that I can get this benefit (he is an avid cyclist) but we aren't sure how to implement it. Can I save it up from month to month apply to a big purchase or can I make a big purchase and get reimbursed over time? Or do I have to make a tenty dollar purchase each month? Who knows?

pgoat

*bump*

I just now heard about this....I'm skeptical as to whether I can swing it but I am gonna try.....

bergerandfries

I work for a large telecom company that buys the benefit management from one of the large benefit mgmt companies. I've called my HR, called the benefit company, and they all say "we're looking at it". Meanwhile, Bob Moinske has found a benefit company that IS implementing it, check it out at bicycling.com

CCrew

I can't get mine to even consider it. Commuting to work is excluded from their "wellness" plan too.. Guess it isn't healthy or something. Go figure.

tim24k

I guess I have a good boss, I’ve been getting the $20 BCR each month after the first of the year.

I really don’t see what the big deal is here even the LBS I buy from doesn’t give as of yet to their help.
And I know four of them commute by bike all the time rain or shine.

subclavius

Not me, and I work for a bike-friendly company that has a bike rack out front and men's & women's locker room and showers. Plus we're in a bike friendly town.

Part of the problem is, I'm the only new guy since the BCA went into effect. All the other bike commuters here have been doing it for years and already set their rigs up.

My inquiry about the BCA went to HR no man's land about four months and $200 ago.

Ka_Jun

No. Been pushing HR to adopt, though.

bullschuck

I work for a large wireless telecom and saw a graphic on the HR webpage about a "Commuter Savings Account," a few months ago. The link didn't go anywhere, I think it wasn't supposed to be there. The next day it was gone.

I did email my HR contact two weeks ago and got no reply. I emailed him again informing him that I was OK with "I can't talk about that right now," but was not OK with no reply. He's contacted me twice since then to inform me he's passing it up the chain. We'll see, but I'm not sure if it's going anywhere. It for sure won't be the give-$20-monthly-to-bike-commuters variety. More likely it will be the we'll-let-you-take-$20-a-month-from-your-own-paycheck version. I'm not even interested in the tax savings, just an emergency account for tubes and tires and such.

cyclemission

My company decided to jump on it this year. We have about 50 of the 65 employees riding to work this coming Tuesday.
Check out the blog at: https://thehawleyblog.blogspot.com/

srmatte

Company said the effort required to implement would be too expensive. No execs ride a bike.

kev3046

We have just gotten a firm confirmation that my employer will not be participating in the BCA. Overhead costs of the program and a lack of interest by other similar employers were the two reasons cited, relative to the amount of reimbursement allowable by law.

I tend to agree with their assessment. Given the large size of my employer and the overhead costs of similar programs, I would rather have the extra few dollars in my paycheck and have it federally taxed. All raises increase payments to my IRA anyway, so taxes are not an issue.

I really don't think the BCA is an effective or meaningful way to promote commuting by bike. An increase in the fuel tax followed by a corresponding increase in the standard deduction would be more effective and revenue generating.

gholt

I suggested it to H/R, but our benefits are decide by a group in another city. So, I haven't heard any announcement for it. Will have to keep eyes and ears open.

Quel

I wouldn't take it even if it was offered. I get $80/month (could get up to $115, just don't need it) for mass transit and can't take both. No brainer to me.

The benefit needs to be equal to the mass transit one before companies and employees really take it seriously. Just too small to worry about now. Saving $70-100/yr isn't worth all that trouble.