By Kayleigh Gilbert
Staff Writer

The bailout for Wall Street may have been a controversial plan to pass, but it comes with some hidden perks that many are unaware of. One of those benefits is the Bicycle Commuter Act.

College considers implementing bill

The act is designed to give workers who use a bicycle as their primary form of transportation a $20-a-month, tax-free reimbursement from their employers. The employers would then be compensated by the government through their federal taxes.

The money is provided for bicycle maintenance such as repairs, storage, or even for a new two-wheeler.

Tina Tenney, associate director of Human Resources, says she's unsure whether the Bicycle Commuter Act will be implemented at St. Michael's next January. (Photo by Sebastian Contratti)

The bill had been rejected by Congress in the past, but managed to pass on October 3 when tied to the Wall Street bailout package.

It is ultimately up to each employer to establish the voluntary fringe benefit that could begin as soon as Jan. 1, 2009, says Tina Tenney, associate director of Human Resources.

“I'm not sure how it will actually play out here,” Tenney says. “It is something we have discussed briefly, but we don’t have written guidelines yet.”

Green transportation: a way of life

The bill would affect all professors at St. Michael’s who already choose to commute here by bike, one of whom is avid bike rider and math professor, George Ashline. Ashline has been commuting by bike for years, he says.

Ashline began biking as an alternate means of transportation when he was young, he says. When he and his wife began looking at homes, they chose one in Winooski that was close enough to commute to school.

“Part of my personality is to conserve,” Ashline says. “It’s part of who I am. It makes sense in terms of personal well-being. Exercise makes you feel better.”

In addition to the exercise, there is  no need to find a parking space, Ashline says. He keeps his bike in his office.

If St. Michael’s were to implement the bill, Ashline says he is not sure if it would spur more employee cyclists.

"I think It would be a nice affirmation of alternate means of commuing, and the importance of that for the environment," says George Ashline, math professor, about the Bicycle Commuter Act. (Photo by Sebastian Contratti)

“If people were going to do it, it would be independent of that $20,” Ashline says. “More faculty and staff are using the CCTA bus program, which is great. The hard thing with a bike is that you have to have the appropriate gear,” he says.

Ashline has rain gear, a reflective vest, gloves, an ear band, and installed lights on the front and back of his bike. He tries to ride as much as possible, even in bad weather, he says. Last year he purchased studded, snow tires for the winter months.

“If it gets icy, it gets dangerous,” Ashline says.

But he remains dedicated.

“I’ve found even if it is really cold, I don’t mind,” he says.

Even though he would appreciate the $20 reimbursement from St. Michael’s, he thinks the best thing about the bill is that it will raise awareness, Ashline says.

Ashline's repair costs have been minimal except for the yearly tune-up and occasional supplies, he says.  
“You don’t have to fill it up with gas. You just have to make sure one’s own tank has enough energy in it,” Ashline says.

Green Up hopeful of new Act

The bill, if put in place, would not be the first incentive for employees to ride their bikes to work.

Last semester, Dillon Klepetar '08 and Mike New, vice president of Human Resources, worked together to create a point-based reward program for faculty and staff who commuted to  school by alternate means of transportation.

At the end of the semester the points could be turned into prizes such as gift certificates to American Flatbread Pizza in downtown Burlington, Ashline says.

“I think it was a really valuable program,” Ashline says. He participated all semester and racked up many points traveling by bike to and from school nearly every day.

The program was designed to run for one semester and was used as a test to see if programs like this could succeed, Ashline says.

Dan Hock '09, member of Green Up and co-founder of the Yellow Bike Program, says that the Bicycle Commuter Act could encourage more faculty and staff to consider commuting by alternative means. (Photo by Sebastian Contratti)

Dan Hock '09, member of Green Up, sent out an e-mail to faculty and employees about the bill. The Bicycle Commuter Act would continue to encourage green living on campus, Hock says.

“The bill is a tangible incentive to a lot of people,” Hock says. “It seems like a lot of people that commute wouldn’t do it for the financial incentive, but it is rewarding people for riding and not stepping in a car.”

If more people are conscious of the fact that it is possible to cycle to work instead of guzzling gas in a car, more people will at least consider the idea, Hock says.

“They take it more seriously," he says. "If they see 15 people riding in their direction they would be more inclined to join them.”

As a bike rider himself, Hock thinks that the $20 will help with the costs of maintenance needs, especially in New England, he says.

“Look at cars up here compared to the ones in the south,” Hock says. “Bikes are exposed to sand and salt on the road and then they are left outside in the snow. Winter bikes are always coated,”

He hopes St. Michael's will put the bill into effect, Hock says.

“It’s a small attempt to shift the predominant mindset to an alternative form of transportation,” Hock says.