An Amusement & Diversion for The Genteel Cyclist. Daily.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Ride my pimp


It's charming to see the popular press catch on to the "hip new fad of bicycling." And from time to time, in the interest of edifying the public, your local newspaper will publish something like "Five things you didn;t know about bikes."

Typically, this involves the revelation that lights and reflectors are required at night, that you can get a ticket for rolling through stop signs, and so on. (Yes, we knew you could get a DUI on a bike; no, we think that's stupid.)

But this didjaknow article from an Idaho fishwrap mentions something we'd never heard of before: Apparently the fed sponsors a program in many states that allows bike commuters up to $300 in reimbursements for emergency cab rides. In Ada, Idaho, the program is called "Commuteride."


It's good for anyone who uses an alternative transportation," she said. In case of a family emergency, and you need to get home faster than it takes for you to ride or walk, Commuteride will reimburse you for a cab ride home. First you have to register at www.Commuteride.com. Click on "Commuter Incentives" in the left-hand frame on the home page. If you meet the guidelines, you have to fill out a reimbursement form (also on the Web page). You're allowed to use the program up to six times a year for no more than $300. "It's a nice security net for people who bicycle a significant distance to work. It's one of the most under-used programs in many states," Lundstrom said.


And if your local authorities insist on being priggish about drunk cycling, perhaps that could be considered a family emergency as well.

Photo (cc) by Dru2U

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