Bike Transportation Fringe Benefit Reintroduced

Rep. Blumenauer (Democrat from Oregon's 3rd.... The Bikin' 3rd!) yesterday followed through on a promised reintroduction of the bill that would allow employers to offer a tax-free subsidy for bicycle commuting. Welcome, H.R 6495.

Here's the relevant text. It looks like it would give $50 a month for an undefined 'qualified bicycle commuting month' (as opposed to the $20 that made it through the House last time round). Additionally, it also proposes to actually fund and pay out that tax-free benefit for Federal employees, lucky ducks. It would also crank up the existing mass transit benefit cap to $200.

As always, do not get your hopes up. It just hit the House floor, and if it comes out of committee(s), who knows what it might include. I did not see any paygo provisions, which will need to be tagged on there, and often act as poison pills. And finally, it needs to tickle the tastebuds of 60 Senators (why 60, not 50?). Anyway, the tracker widget on the right has been edited.

If, unlike a majority of the readers of this blog, you are represented by a fully-empowered Senator or member of Congress, please write or email yet again, voicing your support for this bill.

Fringe Benefit for Biking Groundhog Day

[Update -- this bill hit the House floor July 15, click here for the skinny] Via bikeportland.org, it appears that Rep. Blumenauer of Oregon has once again picked himself up, dusted off his stylish bowtie, and flung the most no-brainer hunk of legislation against the wall of Congress, yet again. Just to review, this change to the tax code would allow employers to provide a transportation fringe benefit to bicycle commuters tax-free, in the same way that employers have been able to provide up to $220 in parking reimbursement, and up to $100 in mass transit reimbursement, tax-free, for years now. But sorry, area biking Feds, don't get your hopes up that you will be getting a new bike in place of those useless Smartrip cards you just hand out to your friends every quarter. The last version of the bill that made it through the House allowed for $20 per month maximum. There are a whole lot of other provisions to the bill, and they are all very nice, read more at bikeportland.org. The bill has not been introduced on the floor yet, and I can't find the full-text of the bill, but I will update and replace the bill tracker widget once it makes it gets introduced. But the same thing that probably smothered this bill in the Senate last time round, the required paygo provision, is back, and is still as untouchable as the Metro third rail. The revenue loss (again, the taxes on $20 lousy dollars a month disbursed to us few bicycle commuters by employers who even bother) has to be offset somehow, and it would be paid by closing oil company tax subsidies. Oil companies like subsidies, and lots of powerful people like oil companies. So, hopefully it will make it through the House again. And maybe even merit floor discussion in the Senate this time. But the present administration has previously staked out an intention to veto, and while many Senators may like bikers, I am guessing that number falls somewhat short of 60. Too cynical? Just one of the many reasons I will never be a Congressman, I suppose. I'm just a bike commuter who needs a new rear tire.

Globe (by Specialized), branding comes to bikes

I have an eight-part rant on what the bike brands could do to better appeal to the general public. One of those points is to make better use of different brands for different audiences. The folks at Specialized are obviously on top of it, see below for presser on their new Globe sub-brand for their enhanced lineup of commuter bikes.

Regardless of how the products turn out (and no, I don't know how this new Globe line of commuter bikes differs from the existing Specialized Globe City line), it's good to see that Specialized acknowledges that a big red slasher "S" might not play as well on these downtubes as it does on Tom Boonen's, and that both will be the better for the change.

Stay tuned for bike details, I'm interested to see what they come up with. That little pic down there would suggest something that resembles the existing Globe Centrum, but with 700c wheels. Details should be available at their big dealer shindig in July.

June 5th, 2008

PRESS RELEASE
Specialized Launches Improved Globe Line of Bikes

New Bikes are Part of the Wellness, Environment and Fuel Price Solution

“We believe that bikes can be a significant part of solution for the biggest challenges we face – wellness, global warming and souring fuel costs.” States Mike Sinyard, President and Founder of Specialized. “That's why we have been advocating for bikes as a transportation for years." This support is evidenced by being a founding member and continuous supporter of organizations like Bikes Belong. As part of their focus on change, Specialized launched the Innovate or Die Contest in 2007 in cooperation with Google and Goodby Silverstein & Partners - Specialized's agency of record and creator of the "Got Milk" campaign - to stimulate the use of pedal power and to introduce the Globe bike concept.

To get more people out of their cars and on bikes more often, Specialized has been innovating and investing significantly over the past year to develop a complete Globe bike line focused on commuting, transportation and casual riding. "We know Globes will be a classic example of doing well while doing good," say a confident John Thompson, Specialized National Sales Manager. "The new Globes will not only contribute to the greater good, they will also mean a boom in business for our dealers and for Specialized."

To aid in the development of Globe bikes and marketing, Specialized worked all year with a group of dealers who have achieved great success in the transportation and utility bicycle segments. These dealers clearly communicated what their consumers were asking for and what Specialized could do to help them sell bikes like these. “Dealer focus groups and other research informed us that commute and utilitarian riders have different sensibilities and motivators than enthusiast riders”, says Ben Capron, Specialized Director of Global Marketing. “We created the Globe line with distinct branding to connect with this different rider group, similar to the way BMW redeveloped the Mini Cooper or when Apple developed the IPod branding. The result is a diversified line of Globes built around clean design, high functionality, great durability, light weight and tires with puncture resistance technology like Armadillo."

Because there are different types of commutes and utilitarian purposes for bikes, Specialized has developed four families of Globe bikes, each named after a city that typifies that form of riding. These bikes will begin shipping to dealers in early July.

All four families are very light for their class and feature appropriate geometry for the application, along with ergonomic contact points everywhere the body touches the bike.

Later this summer, Specialized will launch a several-pronged promotional effort around the Globe to drive consumer awareness and demand. Efforts will include cooperation with local advocacy groups, extensive PR, a stand-along Globe catalog and partnerships with dealers through SBCU education and full in-store promotions, including window display, floor display and other unique pieces.

"This is the right solution for wellness, the environment and the fuel crisis, but this will also be a huge factor in the future health of our industry, " Sinyard concludes. "First it was the mountain bike, then the road bike, and now transportation bikes will be the third wave to stimulate growth in our industry over the coming years."

Why Bike to Work #6 -- White House Protesters

Back in 1995, after the Oklahoma City bombing, Pennsylvania Ave in front of the White House was closed off to automobile traffic. Eventually, this closure extended from 15th to 17th Streets, and I think it was even closed off to pedestrians for a time after 9/11.

Well anyway, it is definitely open to pedestrians now. Huge milling herds of pedestrians pose with cardboard cutouts of Dubya, dart around like nervous 800 pound hummingbirds on their rented Segways, and squint at their surroundings through their viewfinders. Wait, how is this an enticement to bike to work?

The protesters. They are simply wonderful. Primarily liberal, at least in my experience, often kooky, always passionate, sometimes completely incoherent. Exhibit A. I couldn't work out exactly what this guy was for or against, but he has obviously put a lot of thought and work into it. Regrettably unseen behind the "Wheel of Death" is the 4-foot-tall Kermit the Frog stuffed toy he had sitting in a lawn chair.

Then there was bizarro Austin Powers, who was trying to convince a pack of corn-fed middle schoolers that in the eyes of God, any less than unconditional support of Israel was akin to supporting the terrorists."Israel has mojo, baby, yeah!!!" No, he really said that. Agent Powers' sign reads, "I (the Hay God of Israel) will bless America if America blesses Israel. I will curse America if America curses Israel."

Then there's this encampment, which has been in place for months. Anti-war, they sometimes have a four-wheeled bicycle contraption with speakers and signs that does a few laps of the promenade, blasting protest music.This guy was wandering around the other day. Here's his myspace page. Take a minute to scan his platform. It addresses everything from the war and Israel, to gas station restrooms and landscaping practices on Federal property in DC.Odd that all this nuttiness can take place, and be photographed, within a few hundred feet of the residence of the President and the Executive Office Buildings, but couldn't in the cubiclehood of Crystal City. Anyway, the most cringe-inducing was probably this pack of semi-clothed bicyclists.Anyway, if you are driving or taking Metro to work, you are probably missing all this fun. Besides the two-block respite from riding in traffic, the White House stretch of Penn Ave provides a daily reminder of how the First Amendment is, "smashing, baby, YEAAA!!"

The likable folding bicycle

We're as guilty as anybody of trying to play up the stuff that we like that is flying under the radar of the marketplace. But this post has been a long time coming. A bunch of us believe that the folding bike solves a lot of problems associated with biking, living, and working in the city.

Like using mass transit, for example. As you may know, Metro won't let you take a full-sized bike on during peak times. And the MARC and VRE trains won't let you take one on at all. But folding bikes in their folded state (and in a bag for Metro), are allowed any ole time you please on Metro, inside Metrobusses, on the VRE, and on MARC train. I used to Metro from Bethesda to Crystal City almost every day. It took a bit over an hour each way, but I could have trimmed about 15 minutes of walking time off of each leg of my commute with a folding bike. I probably wasn't alone, check out this great map showing the vast swaths of DC that fall outside a short walking distance from a Metro station.

Or maybe you're crammed into a 'cozy' 400 square foot efficiency in Dupont Circle. Which of the following will wedge into that sliver of space between your Murphy bed and your kitchen/bedside table? This...
...or this?Or perhaps you're a bit intimidated by the standover height of a full-sized bike. Not too fond of the sight of that unforgiving metal tube scant inches away from other far less resilient tubes, huh? Well, no worries here.

But they can't be easy or quick to fold, can they?




Neat. But there's so small. They can't be very fun to ride, can they?



I rode the Breezer Zag 8 shown below from our Adams Morgan shop to Clarendon, then to my house in Pentagon City, and back to the shop the next morning. And not only did I make great time, I had a great time. The gear range is fine for most riding, the tires soak up the bumps, and it handles pretty much like a regular bike. Ask our finance guy, Erik, he loves his too.
But come on, they look like clown bikes. Good gravy, if that's a concern, just don your best-fitting tweeds, and you'll turn heads for the right reasons. The line between 'eccentric' and 'individualist' can be as thin as a nicely tailored jacket, or a fresh shine on your shoes. Your bike can't make or break your style, it's just an accessory to the total package. Besides, check out the slightly similar looking and perpetually-coming-soon Smartbikes, you will be in good company really really soon (this month, maybe?). Ahead of the curve, even.

We proudly sell and stock Breezer folding bikes, and can order Dahon folding bikes as well. Like the Batavus Old Dutch city bike I highlighted a few weeks back (still in stock last I checked Friday), we would love to find and stock more models, but we're just not seeing a groundswell of interest yet.

Bega's Cannondale

As seen previously with my Moots, a few of us at the shop refuse to buy into the conventional wisdom that your commuter bike needs to be a beater. Sure, we have access to some nice bikes at reduced prices. Sure, we benefit if everyone decides that a commuter bike oughta cost more than your first car. And the best bike is the one that you ride.

But putting all that aside, here's Bega's Cannondale SystemSix, rigged and ready for commuter duty.The cognoscenti will note the SRAM Force drivetrain bits, and the Zipp / Flashpoint wheels. But don't ignore the fenders, Speedplay Frog pedals, and the mirrors and bell. Running a carbon race bike as your regular transpo may not be for everyone, but here's proof that it is possible.

Why Bike to Work #5 -- Apparent motion

So, way back on reason #3, commentator Marissa noted in part:

Hands down, my favorite part of bike commuting is how I zip past all the suckers waiting at the bus stop. They'll be there for another 15 minutes or so, only to have to pay to cram into a sardine-can-esque bus that usually smells of sweat and frustration....

Well, I won't trash the bus, it's ambiance, or it's patrons. But I'll run with the central point -- getting to work on the bike is pretty satisfying, in part because I'm almost always moving, rarely waiting. Even though I respect the traffic signals. I may only be loping along at 15 MPH, but there's very little sitting, dawdling, or other wasteful activities. When you're as impatient as I am, avoiding those infuriating delays is priceless.

When I held my own Drive to Work Day, I noticed these two headed the other way, not moving terribly quickly, but they were moving. Unlike me, who was cruising about 24mph below the posted limit.

Why Bike to Work #4 -- Riding in Rain is Carefree Fun

At least that's the talking point this morning, as I head out for Bike to Work Day... Check back for updates through the day.

Why Bike to Work #3 -- Kids are impressed

To drivers, you are an obstacle that sometimes spits. To dogs, you are something to be attacked. To jaywalkers, you are apparently invisible. To coworkers, you are charitably thought of as 'eccentric.'But kids riding in cars think you're pretty novel. And by 'novel,' I mean 'badass.' They ride bikes, so they can relate to you. They don't ride fast like you, though. That bike you're on is the coolest thing ever. And Dad would shriek like Mom if they tried riding in and out of city traffic like that.

For that split second, when you plunge past a car window with a 4-8 year old face smushed against it, you are the coolest person ever.

Why Bike to Work #2 -- Cheap and Easy Parking

Gah, they're here.Peak season. And if you had the damn-fool notion to drive to the tidal basin, parking is tougher than ever. Ditto at the new ballpark. And Metro? Say hello to the Nats fans for me. Might there be a third option for getting around the city?
And parking? Years ago, I dropped $55 on this gadget that lets me park my Moots hassle-free, cost-free, for years to come. Or, how about this, let WABA mind your bike.

But for all our sakes, let's all pinky-swear to cede the sidewalks to the blossom zombies. Some knucklehead will still go sprinting through the walking traffic, screaming "I'm a local!!" and waving his/her dog-eared copy of Title 18 Chap 12 Prov 1201.9 of the DC Code of Municipal Regulations (safely ridden right-of-way yielding bikes are allowed on sidewalks). But discretion (and common sense) is the better part of valor, let the tourists meander freely.

Why Bike to Work #1 -- Side Trips

Time to kick off a recurring feature, in the run-up to Bike to Work Day (registration is open, BTW). We're going to reel off some reasons to bike to work. And we'll try to keep the self-righteousness ("you're loving the earth!") and obviousness ("it's better exercise!") to a minimum.

Anyway, while serving my five year sentence on the Red Line, I very rarely deviated from my well-worn route to stop by the Tidal Basin or Asylum or wherever. But on a bike, it's so easy to find great reasons to wander, and so easy to act.

For convenient example, I was on my way in today, and decided to head east on the E St. bikelane in search of a cup of coffee. I got to 6th St. NW, and the intersection was blocked off by police.

Normally, this is either just a motorcade or a suspicious package, but today, a crowd was gathered around (crowds are normally disinterested in motorcades, and not encouraged to hang around Homeland Security gigs). I asked a nearby kid, who looked up from his hot dog, and barely containing his contempt for my ignorance, scoffed, "The circus elephants, duh." Duh indeed. What?Yeah, apparently Ringling Bros Blah & Blah Blah Circus is at the Verizon Provides My Home Internet That Still Doesn't Work But Continues to Bill Me Center this weekend. And they block off the roads to parade the elephants into the arena. You know what? Forget the bike thing. Imagine the streets flowing with the clean locomotion of elephant transport. Oh wait....... forget the 'clean' bit. They had a street sweeper (fossil fuel powered) following the elephants. Us bike clowns had the right idea all along. Patches needs a helmet, though.