Image: richardmasoner

Bicycle commuters rejoice! Those 448 pages tacked on to the original bailout plan didn’t leave us completely in the dark. By now, you’ve probably heard about tax cuts for everthing from wooden arrows to race tracks and plug-in hybrids, but nothing for cyclists. However, thanks to Treehugger, I have learned that there will indeed be very minor tax cuts for us bicycle commuters.

These cuts are not as straightforward as writing down a number of miles on your taxes and getting money back, but they will allow your employer to offer commuting benefits to you, which could make up to $20 a month of commuting-related expenses tax free. It’s not going to cover the cost of a decent bike, but at least it’s something, and hopefully some employer programs wil be able to reach out to more potential commuters.

Here’s the full text:

“(a) In General- Paragraph (1) of section 132(f) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(D) Any qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement.’.

(b) Limitation on Exclusion- Paragraph (2) of section 132(f) is amended by striking `and’ at the end of subparagraph (A), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting `, and’, and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

`(C) the applicable annual limitation in the case of any qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement.’.

(c) Definitions- Paragraph (5) of section 132(f) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(F) DEFINITIONS RELATED TO BICYCLE COMMUTING REIMBURSEMENT-

`(i) QUALIFIED BICYCLE COMMUTING REIMBURSEMENT- The term `qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement’ means, with respect to any calendar year, any employer reimbursement during the 15-month period beginning with the first day of such calendar year for reasonable expenses incurred by the employee during such calendar year for the purchase of a bicycle and bicycle improvements, repair, and storage, if such bicycle is regularly used for travel between the employee’s residence and place of employment.

`(ii) APPLICABLE ANNUAL LIMITATION- The term `applicable annual limitation’ means, with respect to any employee for any calendar year, the product of $20 multiplied by the number of qualified bicycle commuting months during such year.

`(iii) QUALIFIED BICYCLE COMMUTING MONTH- The term `qualified bicycle commuting month’ means, with respect to any employee, any month during which such employee–
`(I) regularly uses the bicycle for a substantial portion of the travel between the employee’s residence and place of employment, and

`(II) does not receive any benefit described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1).’.

(d) Constructive Receipt of Benefit- Paragraph (4) of section 132(f) is amended by inserting `(other than a qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement)’ after `qualified transportation fringe’.

(e) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.”

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Image: simonvc

Okay, there are no more excuses to be like the guy in the photo. Wear your helmet! I have worn my helmet ever since I was a kid, and even though I made it 10 years without crashing or getting hit, it only took one afternoon’s ride to leave me sprawled out on the pavement, bleeding, cursing, and with a serious concussion. Good thing I was still wearing my helmet though, or I would have died.

If you think this is an isolated incident, check out this post from Treehugger. A recent study in Canada has shown that helmet laws (and therefore increased use of helmets) among children reduces bicycle related fatalities by 50%. Over the same period, the adult death rate due to bicycle crashes rose 5%. There is no similar law requiring that adults wear helmets.

And really, why should this surpise anyone? Lots of people have lame excuses like “helmets make me ride less safely” or “helmets aren’t going to save me anyway,” but let’s be serious, that’s just stupid. I have no problem with people risking their own life over keeping their hair nice and poofy, but we need to stop pretending that helmets don’t save lives every day.

Happy riding!

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Image: yoshimai

It may seem counterintuitive, but according to a recent report more cyclists on the road mean fewer accidents involving cyclists and motor vehicles. I was convinced of this after spending some time living and cycling in Japan, but it’s always nice to have some real research to back up one’s personal hearsay.

This happens because as more cyclists hit the road, drivers are more aware of their presence. Not only are drivers looking out for cyclists, but as interaction between cars and bikes increase, drivers learn how to drive safely and respectfully around cyclists.

According to the University of New South Wales, who did the research:

“It’s a virtuous cycle,” says Dr Julie Hatfield, an injury expert from UNSW who address the seminar on September 5. “The likelihood that an individual cyclist will be struck by a motorist falls with increasing rate of bicycling in a community. And the safer cycling is perceived to be, the more people are prepared to cycle.”

Also, even more encouragingly, it doesn’t seem that cycling infrastructure is responsible for the change:

Experts say the effect is independent of improvements in cycling-friendly laws such as lower speed limits and better infrastructure, such as bike paths. Research has revealed the safety-in-numbers impact for cyclists in Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, 14 European countries and 68 Californian cities.

So, if you’ve ever thought about getting out on a bicycle, consider this: you will be safest in communities with the most cyclists; your contribution will not only keep a car off the road, but will help make everyone safer.

Happy riding!

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If you haven’t heard yet, May is National Bike Month, and within the month there are a whole slew of specific “special days” and such. This week is one of those special bits, and it’s “Commute to Work Week.”

Luckily I’m still a student and don’t have any daily grind, commute to work type commute, but with the weather getting nicer and everything feeling more pleasant, I welcome with open arms the idea of being in the saddle for a few more hours every day. So, get out of the car and get a work out! It might be easier than you imagined.

Anyone new to commuting? Have any interesting stories?

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