Remember the Bicycle Commuter Act tax credit that passed with the bank bailout, also known as the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008?

No?

Don’t worry, hardly anyone else does, either.

Recently, Chatham University and its office of sustainability decided to provide the benefit for its employees. And when Paul Kovach, the university’s spokesman, tried to find other local companies that were providing the same tax credit, he was at a loss.

“I tried my darndest to find someone else who was doing this, but I was unable to find anyone,” he said.

The benefit is a $20-a-month credit for people who make a “substantial portion” of their commute by bicycle, to pay for purchases, repairs, storage, upgrades or helmets (padded shorts and tight shirt are excluded from the reimbursement). The employer can reimburse employees based on their expenses, offer regular monthly payments or devise some sort of voucher system.

Not a member of BikePGH? Join today! We need you to add your voice! Bike Pittsburgh works to protect cyclist’s rights and promote the vision of making Pittsburgh a safer and more enjoyable place to live and to ride. For more info, check out: www.bike-pgh.org/membership