Bicycle commute benefits axed from “landmark energy bill”
That much ballyhooed "landmark energy bill" that was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush last week didn't include a component that was in earlier versions -- the bicycle commuter tax break.
Sorry bike commuters. A lump of coal in your stocking again this year.
The fringe benefit that would have enabled employers to give you a $20/month stipend for riding your bicycles to work was deflated by Senate Republicans. They threatened to filibuster at the last minute if the renewable energy and energy efficiency tax package made it into HR 6, the final energy bill.
That energy tax package included provisions that would have benefited bicycle commuters and wind and solar power producers. It also would have closed the so-called Hummer tax break loophole and reduced tax breaks for oil and gas companies. Small wonder it didn't make it ...
