Reimbursement for Miles Biking?

[chaboydatdude]

At my current job I make a bank run every Friday to deposit checks from the week, about a nine mile round trip. I usually drive to work on Fridays because of the bank trip and I get reimbursed per mile. I ride my bike every other day of the week. I have adequate time get the trip in on my lunch break and still have time to eat.  Is it legal/ ethical to ride my bike to work on Fridays and collect a per mile reimbursement for the trip I take to the bank?

Long term I figure it could save some wear and tear on my car and save some gas. I get 33 cents per mile if that makes a difference.

Any thoughts on this?

[lackofstache]

If time allows, I'd do it. You're getting REIMBURSED $3/day. It probably costs that to drive to work in the first place. Even if they don't reimburse you, you wouldn't be driving to work, to the bank & back and then back home just to get the $3.

[JR]

At my current job I make a bank run every Friday to deposit checks from the week, about a nine mile round trip. I usually drive to work on Fridays because of the bank trip and I get reimbursed per mile. I ride my bike every other day of the week. I have adequate time get the trip in on my lunch break and still have time to eat.  Is it legal/ ethical to ride my bike to work on Fridays and collect a per mile reimbursement for the trip I take to the bank?

Long term I figure it could save some wear and tear on my car and save some gas. I get 33 cents per mile if that makes a difference.

Any thoughts on this?

I would consider this unethical. The 33 cents per mile is for wear and tear on a motor vehicle no a bicycle. I like riding my bike though so I would rather just ride that extra day and not get the reimbursement.

[lackofstache]

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I would consider this unethical. The 33 cents per mile is for wear and tear on a motor vehicle no a bicycle. I like riding my bike though so I would rather just ride that extra day and not get the reimbursement.
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I don't think it unethical. 9 miles on bike tires, chain, bottom bracket, brake pads, etc. may not be the equivalent of a car, but it should be worth something. I'd say talk to your manager; my boss would allow me to do this & still reimburse me.

[Rickk]

I see no issue with this at all. 

You are being reimbursed for your activity - NOT how you are doing it.  The rate of reimbursement is not changed based upon the fuel efficiency or average cost to fix a vehicle.  You would not get paid more to drive your Maserati to the bank or get paid less to drive your Prius.
The fact that your vehicle does not have an internal combustion engine is not germane to the argument. 

You have a vehicle to maintain (bike), and fuel to put in (food) - this is exactly why you are being reimbursed.

It also appears that you are doing this on your lunch break - so you are doing it on your own time as well - the company is getting a great deal.

[Jamesqf]

I would consider this unethical. The 33 cents per mile is for wear and tear on a motor vehicle no a bicycle.

But how is it any different from say me driving my Honda Insight (actual cost maybe 10 cents/mile), and getting reimbursed 33 cents/mile?  Or on the other end, someone driving their dual-cab F450 at maybe 75 cents/mile, and only getting that same 33 cents? 

[chasesfish]

I would ask the employer, they may not be comfortable with you biking their deposit (cash, checks) to the bank.