Kyla Fullenwider
The Public Studio + Walking Distance
Did you resolve to bike to work this year but haven't quite found the motivation? Some companies and cities provide incentives to motivate would be cyclists: Google offers monthly bike tune-ups to its employees and the city of Palo Alto gives tax credits to anyone who commutes via bike at least 60% of the time. But bikers not working at Google or living in Northern California often get the shaft with no showers at work and very little in the way of bike racks. But not anymore, and they have Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) to thank. After seven years in front of Congress the Bicycle Commuter Act passed. Buried deep within the massive stimulus package is a provision that allows bikers to receive a $20 monthly reimbursement from their employers beginning January 1, 2009. There are lots of little nuances and details, which the League of American Bicyclists has graciously explained. Ready to sign up? You can do that here.
