🚀 go-pugleaf

We at the Washington Area Bicycle Association (WABA) are looking into 
the possibility of having existing subsidies for use of Mass Transit 
expanded to cyclists and pedestrians (i.e. those who don't pollute in 
transportation).

Currently, the US government allows private companies to give their 
employees a tax-exempt subsidy of up to $60 per month for using public 
transportation ( e.g. subway, busses, trains, etc.). The US government 
also allows its Agencies (e.g. EPA) to subsidize its workers up to $60 
per month for taking public transportation. Many county and local 
governments have similar programs.

While public transportation is less polluting and energy consuming than 
typical single user automobile traffic, it is nevertheless heavily 
polluting.  The only forms of transportation that are non-polluting are 
those powered by humans (i.e. bicycle, walking). Consequently, it seems 
to us in WABA that most subsidy transportation programs should be 
expanded to include bicycles and pedestrians.

However, in order to convince those in Washington to do anything, it is 
important to show them that it has been done before, it has worked, and 
it is not too complicated.  If anyone has information on subsidy 
programs for cyclists, studies of such subsidies, or any thoughts on 
this issue please reply to

	Warren Stern
	(703) 243-0898
	135 N. Abingdon
	Arlington, VA 22203

(the author and the poster are not the same person! If possible, please 
call, or send snail-mail...Thanks.)