Commuter Check for bicycle commuting
 

I commute to work by bicycle. My employer participates in a program administered by Accor Services, which gives me checks redeemable at bike shops for bike commuting related expenses.

These checks are "monopoly money" that can only be used at bike shops. The bike shops submit the checks to Accor and get reimbursed. The problem I'm having is that none of my local bike shops will accept the Accor monopoly money. The bike shop owners seem to be annoyed by the process.

I'm wondering what the deal is. Does Accor charge a fee to bike shops that participate? Does Accor give the shops a reduced payment (e.g. 80 cents on the dollar or whatever)?

Does anyone have experience with this?

Never heard of them, but your description made me curious enough to check out the website. The website allows you to search for "partners" (i.e., bike retailers who will accept the Commuter Check vouchers) in your area. Check it out here: http://www.commutercheck.com/Partners/PartnerList.aspx

Seems like a lot of hassle to avoid paying a small portion of payroll taxes, if you ask me.

Yes, there are shops that accept the checks. The closest is about an hour's drive from here.

I just checked for local shops (though my employer isn't on board yet). Among the results, was Performance Bike. It made me wonder if there's a way you can work it out with them to spend the commuter checks online.

Either online, or just stash the checks away (do they expire?) and drop them on a new set of tires or something else useful when you make a once or twice a year trip to the bike shop that's an hour away.

As far as the actual program, it's probably an issue of paperwork and the hassle of dealing with the bureaucracy of getting their money when they need that stuff to pay bills now. Usually local bike shops don't have time to let monopoly money float around until they finally get that real check from whoever issues it. I could be extremely wrong, but that's just one guess.

No experience with the program, but it does sound like it could be helpful. It sucks you would have to travel so far to redeem them, but like WalksOn2Wheels noted save them up for when you do go to those areas.

Up to $230 a month not to exceed $2760 a year could net you some very nice accessories or bikes.

I just get $20/month (tax free) added to my paycheck for every month I commute by bike at least half the time.
I think your company got sold a bill of goods by these ACCOR people who handle a little bit of paperwork and skim off both ends.
Another way I've heard this can work is you submit actual cycling expenses for a reimbursement up to some max per month, similar to a FSA for medical.

Thanks for the replies.

I can collect a maximum of $20 in Accor funny money tax free per month for each month I commute by bike. In order to do this I have to submit receipts that show my bike commuting expenses. Then my employer issues Acco checks in the amount of those expenses (up to $20/month), which can be used for additional purchases at a participating bike shop.

It's not a lot but it is enough to keep my bike well maintained. I have not received the checks from 2010 yet, but should get them soon.

I had hoped to use the checks at the two LBSs I deal with regularly, but neither was interested in becoming a participating shop.

How do you show receipts of your bike commuting expense? Do you purchase items first (Tires, tubes, panniers, lights, etc.), turn them into whomever and wait for a check?

Yes, I submit the receipts and then receive a check that can be used for additional purchases at a participating bike shop. Sort of odd but I guess it should work.