Day 17: Biking for $$$

Biking has many advantages that I'm sure many know, but if Congressmen Blumenauer (D-OR) and Foley (R-FL) have their way, bicyclist will get tax breaks. Bicycle Commuter Act (H.R. 807) will allow employers to offer employees that bike commute a $100 a month. Currently, employers can offer this benefit to users of public transportation.

It makes sense to me. I'm not sure why bicycles weren't included in the first place. It will encourage more people to bike which will reduce traffic. Estimates are that traffic costs American $70 billion a year, growing to $90 billion in 2009. It's clear something must be done. I certainly don't think this bill will solve it, but might as well reward the people doing the right thing. I don't think it's a coincidence that the cost of traffic per person ($1,160) is almost exactly the same amount bike commuters would get back ($1,200).

I know how I would spend an additional $1,200 a year!

Daily total: 41 miles
Running total: 414 miles