NABSA Advocates for the Bicycle Commuter Act in a Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill

NABSA is encouraging policy-makers to include the Bicycle Commuter Act as an amendment to the  Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST) Act released last week.

Commuter tax benefits, or fringe transportation benefits, are allowable pre-tax reimbursements that employers can offer to their employees. Currently, parking, transit and vanpool are pre-tax reimbursable expenses, but bicycling, bikeshare, and other shared micromobility services are not included.

The Bicycle Commuter Act of 2019, sponsored by Representative Blumenauer, would reverse the bicycle commuter benefit’s suspension in Public Law 115-97 and extend commuter tax benefits to bikes, e-bikes, and bikeshare memberships, providing riders with a pre-tax benefit of $53/month to cover their commuting costs. Just as important, the bill would allow commuters to spend their benefit across modes, meaning they could pay for a bikeshare trip to work, and a transit trip home.

To help pass the Bicycle Commuter Act, NABSA reached out to our members and the greater bikeshare and shared micromobility industry to sign on to our letter of support. Our Bicycle Commuter Act Letter of Support will be sent to the House Ways & Means Committee to urge them to recommend the Bicycle Commuter Act as an amendment to the INVEST in America Act, as it is considered by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the coming weeks. We’re grateful that so many in our community added their names to the incredibly long list of people who want help bring the benefits of bikeshare to even more citizens.

You can also sign the PeopleForBikes petition to have a personalized letter sent from you to your Representative here.

NABSA prioritizes advocating on behalf of the bikeshare and shared micromobility industry. Learn more about our advocacy efforts here.