[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 21, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6857-S6858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. SNOWE (for herself and Mr. Wyden):
  S. 1093. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend 
the transportation fringe benefit to bicycle commuters; to the 
Committee on Finance.
  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to acknowledge the many 
thousands of bicycle commuters across the Nation who, by taking part in 
National Bike-to-Work Day on May 16, 2003, have chosen a healthy and 
pollution-

[[Page S6858]]

free alternative to driving to work. In recognition of the importance 
of bicycle commuting and National Bike-to-Work Month, it is my pleasure 
to be joined by my good friend, the Senator from Oregon, to introduce 
legislation to extend the Transportation Fringe Benefit to bicycle 
commuters. By including bicycle commuting as an eligible mode of 
alternative transportation under the Transportation Fringe Benefit, 
this legislation will ensure that bicycle commuters will have access to 
the benefits already available to individuals who commute by mass 
transit and van-pool.
  The Transportation Fringe Benefit was added to the Tax Code to give 
individuals an incentive to use alternative modes of transportation. It 
is entirely voluntary for both employers and employees. Under current 
law, an employer may offer a Transportation Fringe Benefit to an 
employee who commutes by mass transit or van-pool and count that 
contribution as a business deduction. An employee of a participating 
company may choose to receive a tax-exempt benefit of $180 per month 
for qualified parking or $100 per month for mass transit or van-pool.
  The Bicycle Commuter Act simply adds bicycling as a qualifying 
transportation method. This straightforward but significant addition to 
the Transportation Fringe Benefit not only provides fairness to 
commuters traveling by bike, but would also help achieve the broader 
goals of the Transportation Fringe Benefit provision by encouraging 
healthy, environmental, community-oriented commuting.
  Consider a June 2002 study by the Texas Transportation Institute that 
details the growing severity of traffic congestion on our Nation's 
roadways--according to this study, commuters traveling during rush hour 
are encountering longer delays, rush hour periods themselves are 
growing, and more streets and highways are becoming congested. This 
rising trend of greater congestion costs both our Nation's economy and 
our environment.
  Thankfully, there are alternatives, and that is why I am introducing 
the Bicycle Commuter Act. According to the Bureau of Transportation 
Statistics, over 20 percent of Americans used a bicycle for 
transportation within a 30-day study period. Combined with the fact 
that more than 50 percent of the working population has a work commute 
of 5 miles or fewer, bicycles present an opportunity for our Nation to 
reduce problems of grid lock, air pollution, and roadway wear and tear.
  Indeed, our Nation has made significant gains through mass transit 
and alternative transportation. However, more can and must be done--and 
I believe the Bicycle Commuter Act would be an important step in 
ensuring that our Nation's transportation policies recognize the 
potential benefits to the individual and community of bicycle 
commuting. I urge my colleagues to join myself and the Senator from 
Oregon in this effort.
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