The flexible credit is meant to support a variety of bike-related expenses, including bike share memberships.

Eric Sakalowski assesses the federal bike commuter credit proposed as part of the bicycle benefits in the Build Back Better Act, which is intended "to cover a broad range of expenses that a person might incur as they commute to work by bike." The program doesn't require a new bike purchase and covers things like bike share memberships. "[E]mployers can offer employees up to $81 a month in benefits that are not subject to income tax," a much higher benefit than the $20 provided in an earlier version of the credit.
"Even more importantly, a coordination provision allows the same person to claim the bike commuter benefit and the transit and parking benefits under existing law," which allows "more occasional bike commuters to claim the benefit thereby fostering more commutes by bike for those who do more mixed forms of transportation." Unfortunately, the credit does not apply to independent contractors or people not in the labor force, "and these groups tend to be disproportionately disadvantaged." Meanwhile, the seemingly generous $81 monthly benefit is substantially less than the $270 offered by the transit and parking benefits.
Along with the e-bike credit, says Sakalowsky, the bike commuter credit "will not change the situation overnight, especially as we continue to lavish far richer tax credits on cars. But, they offer a foundation at the federal level on which we can continue to build."
FULL STORY: Op-Ed: What is the Federal Bike Commuter Benefit?

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing
From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living
Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.

Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown
In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

Few Landlords Pay San Francisco Vacancy Tax
Less than 3 percent of properties potentially subject to a new vacancy tax were filed as vacant in the last year, but empty storefronts in the city persist.

In Spite of Affordability Crisis, Richmond Rejects Manufactured Housing Plan
After declaring a housing crisis, the Virginia capital’s city council voted against a proposed manufactured home warehouse that would distribute replacements for aging manufactured housing stock.

A Planning Commission Podcast Journey: The 1,000 Joys of Planning
The Commissioners explore the facets of the planning profession that fill their cups with joy.
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
City of Orange
City of Charlotte - Charlotte Area Transit
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Montrose County
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
City of Lomita
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.