Comments on: Commuter Checks for bicycling now available

By: Eve

Eve — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 15:11:17 +0000

“Bicycle expenses have been recently added as an eligible expense for pre-tax commuter benefits. However, this new
eligibility is not yet supported through this program.”

This was on the WageWorks site under “what’s covered” – it’s there, just not active yet.

By: Rich

Rich — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:56:57 +0000

What about the self employed?

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:48:59 +0000

What I meant by a FLEX account: If you could check a box on your employment forms to designate a portion of your taxes that would be put into a BIKE account that had to be spent every year. Something like that, simple and available to everyone. I just don’t think it’s on 85% of employer’s radar screens. In this economy, the last thing most employers are thinking about is the few employees that ride their bikes to work.

By: David

David — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 04:01:08 +0000

I looked at the Aarcor suggestions to present it to your company (to get them to start with the program). My company does offer transit benefits in Washinton, DC and other large cities, but, apparently, not where I live. I wanted to present them with something serious, and the Aarcor suggestions were not something I would present to my employer. I certainly hope it becomes widespread and I hope the LBS figure it out.

By: Fritz

Fritz — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:40:19 +0000

Employers can either choose to offer this benefit or not, same as any other Section 132 transportation fringe benefit.

Weird about it not being “profesional” enough because it’s easier to set up than a Flex account — way fewer paperwork requirements.

By: David

David — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 20:14:51 +0000

Seems to be that way to me. I’d like to hear of someone that is using the program.

By: Cycle16v

Cycle16v — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:50:05 +0000

Let me see if I get this right. If your company doesn’t sponsor this legislation, you get nothing? I assumed it was your right as a bike commuter to claim this benefit.

No options at all?

By: David

David — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 06:26:28 +0000

Total no-go with my company. They are not interested. The aarcor suggestions to convince companies are not professional enough to present to my company. Unless this is something like a FLEX medical account, it ain’t happening. Now, if it was a Flex account, I would have no trouble spending it. Additionally, the local shop here is not up on this either… Kind of a flop if you ask me.

By: Brian

Brian — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 21:54:27 +0000

Very cool. I actually just checked with my employer about our provider, Wageworks, doing this, but they said they were not planning on offering it this year. Bummer. My employer may yet do something on its own though.