Attention Ohio & Alaskan Bicycle Retailers
One of the things we are working on right now is to reinstate the Bicycle Commuter Benefit. The old benefit was suspended in the tax cut bill in 2017.
What it is:
A Bicycle Commuter Benefit would allow employees to put aside some of their pre-tax income to pay for bike commuting expenses. It could be spent buying a bike (or e-bike), bike equipment ( tubes, wheels, etc.) or safety equipment (helmets, lights, reflective gear), or towards repair and maintenance.
Unlike the older benefit, it could be used in combination with the parking and transit benefit. If someone bikes one or two times a week, they could still use it.
Legislative process:
A bill including the bicycle commuter benefit has already passed the House of Representatives. In order for it to become law, we need to get it to pass in the Senate. The first step it to get it introduced (make it an official bill). We have a Democratic Senator interested (Senator Cardin of Maryland) but we need a Republican Senator to join him.
What you can do:
We are targeting a few Senators who could be leaders on this effort.
Senator Rob Portman of Ohio
Sign this letter asking Senator Portman to champion a bicycle commuter act and send it to his transportation staffers (email addresses listed at the top of the letter).
Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK)
Send her an email here with the verbiage from this letter.
If you aren’t from Ohio or Alaska:
If you are not in Ohio or Alaska or you feel uncomfortable signing a letter asking a member of Congress to do something, you can sign this letter to the members of Congress who led on the Bicycle Commuter Benefit in the House and send it to Info@NBDA.com. This letter can be signed by retailers everywhere.
For more information on the benefit or how you can help, contact Caron Whitaker at the League of American Bicyclists:Caron Whitaker, Vice President, Government Relations
Caron@BikeLeague.org | 202-215-3908
The NBDA has been here since 1946, representing and empowering specialty bicycle dealers in the United States through education, communications, research, advocacy, member discount programs, and promotional opportunities. As shops are facing never-before-seen circumstances, these resources offer a lifeline. Together, we will weather this. We at the NBDA will not waver in our commitment to serving our members even during this challenging time—but we need your support.
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