Photo: Lars biking to work!
One practical way to reduce your carbon footprint and stay carbon neutral is to ride your bike to work every day. But did you know that you might be able to get paid for it? It’s true! Section 211 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (which is most famous for bailing out America’s bankrupt financial institutions) also allows for a reimbursement of expenses a bicyclist incurs while commuting to and from work. Since February 2009, commuter bicyclists have been able to get reimbursed by their employers for up to $20 per month for bike-related expenses. You can use the money for repairs, storage, license fees, or any other basic expenses. For detailed information on what the Bicycle Commuter Act covers, click here.
The catch is, it’s a voluntary program, so your employer has to sign up for it. But there’s an incentive for them, because they can deduct what they pay you for bike maintenance from their own taxes.
Twenty bucks a month may not be much, but it’s better than nothing—and now you don’t have to worry about where the money to keep your bike in good repair is going to come from. Think of it as a little perk for doing the right thing.
{ 0 comments… add one now }