FAQs Commuter FAQs

Eligibility

To participate in the program one must: 

  • Be full-time, benefits-eligible University faculty or staff, or Postdoctoral Researchers and Fellows;
  • Not be participating in any of Penn’s other commuter transit or parking programs;
  • Commute by bicycle to and from Penn greater than 50% of the time in a qualified bike commuting month; and
  • Register the bike with the Division of Public Safety.

An “eligible month” is any month in which the full-time benefits-eligible faculty or staff member was actively employed and regularly used a bicycle greater than 50% of the time to travel between his or her residence and place of employment, AND did not participate in any of Penn’s other commuter transit or parking programs.

No. Employees may not participate in more than one commuter program at a time.  As part of Penn’s process, bike commuter program participants will be asked to certify that they are not participating in other Penn commuter programs such as public transit, carpool, vanpool, or parking.

 

You may only participate in one commuter program per month.  You will be eligible to receive a reimbursement for expenses incurred in a month when you did NOT receive qualified parking or commuter transit benefits, and when you commuted to work greater than 50% of the month by bicycle.

The chart below provides an at-a-glance view of some examples of the kinds of purchases that will qualify for reimbursement, as well as those items that are considered ineligible expenses. 

 

Expense Type

 

Eligible Expenses

 

Ineligible Expenses

 

Bicycle Purchase

New or used bikes purchased from a store or private property.

 

  

 

Maintenance, Improvements, and Bike Accessories 

Purchasing bicycle parts and/or service used to maintain or improve a bicycle. 

Bike mounted accessories such as luggage racks and locks. 

  

Parking and Commercial Storage

Bike parking fees at commercial property.

Costs associated with storing a bike from one day to a year at a commercial storage unit.

Car Mounted Bike Racks.

Personal storage areas such as residences and garages.

Safety Gear

Helmets, lights, bells and reflective items.

Reflective clothing and apparel.

 

 

Membership and Fees

 

  

Bike rental or bike share programs (i.e. – Indego)

Gym or fitness center programs.

Locker rentals.

 

Clothing/Apparel 

  

Sunglasses, bike shoes, non-reflective clothing, etc.

 

As with many programs such as this one, Penn reserves the right to interpret compliance within its established guidelines.  False claims will result in the expense not being reimbursable and the employee will be responsible for repayment to the University.  Acceptable receipts must accompany all expenses submitted on an expense report.  Penn’s voluntary bike commuter participation program is subject to change at any time.