Bicycle Commuter Reimbursement Benefit

All reimbursements for the 2025 Bike Benefit were distributed via direct deposit on 4/15/2026. Signup for the 2026 Bike Benefit will begin in November 2026 at which point eligible employees will receive an email with further instructions.

2025 Bike Benefit Process (the 2026 Bike Benefit will likely follow a similar timeline)

Do you commute by bicycle to and from your job at BU? You may be eligible to be reimbursed for up to $300 of your bicycle-related expenses!

What is the Bicycle Commuter Reimbursement Benefit?

BU faculty, staff, and some graduate students may claim a $25 reimbursement each “qualified bicycle-commuting month” (up to $300 per calendar year) for expenses incurred at any point during the calendar year related to commuting by bicycle to and from your job at Boston University!

To meet the eligibility criteria for a qualified bicycle-commuting month, you must:

  • be a regular Boston University faculty, staff, or BU Graduate Worker Union (BUGWU) member or PhD student receiving a fully-funded non-service stipend
  • not simultaneously hold a BU-subsidized MBTA pass or BU-provided parking permit (with the exception of the Flex or Evening Faculty Permit) during any portion of a month you claim a bike reimbursement
    commute to and from Boston University by bicycle greater than 50% during this time

Note:

  • Any month in which an employee held a BU parking permit (except Flex or Evening Faculty Permit) or BU-subsidized MBTA pass, even for as little as one day, is not considered a “qualified bicycle-commuting month.”
  • Enrollment in this benefit is not automatic for past participants. A new application is required for every benefit year.
  • Applications from those who are no longer active regular employees (including those who are now non-compensated, on a leave of absence, or terminated) will be automatically denied.
  • To receive this benefit, employees must be current regular BU employees through the reimbursement period (mid-April of the following benefit year). With the exception of BUGWU members, reimbursement will not be issued to employees whose employment is terminated before that time.

Eligible Expenses Include:

  • Purchase of a new or used bicycle (purchased by you and used for your commute to and from your job)
  • Bicycle improvements and repair
    • Parts to maintain bike such as tires and tubes
    • Locks and bike-mounted accessories including child bike seats, cargo racks, and panniers
    • Professional tune-ups
    • Labor costs for bike repair or installation of parts
    • Safety gear including lights, helmets and reflective items attached to bike
  • Bicycle storage – fees you pay to use a bike parking facility including bike cages or other bike storage locations

Expense claims, even for purchases made via Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, must include a receipt. A receipt should include:

  • date
  • seller name and contact info
  • item description
  • item price
  • payment method

 

Non-Eligible Expenses Include:

  • Clothing, bike shoes, and other apparel
  • Bags that do not attach to a bicycle
  • Bike share expenses (including Bluebikes)
  • Gym membership
  • Bike rental costs
  • Car bike racks or personal storage racks/units
  • Scooters and other devices without pedals
  • Otherwise eligible purchases that you make for someone else
  • Purchases for which you do not have a receipt