The burgeoning business of biking is gaining traction on the Mountain.
Bicycling was front and center at the Villages at Mt. Hood Town Hall meeting
held Jan. 25 at The Resort.

George Wilson, co-chairman of the Villages board, is the director of the
recently formed Mt. Hood Bicycle-Pedestrian Coalition, and has been the
driving force behind making the Mountain community become a vibrant
cycling destination.

“Bicycle tourism added $400 million to Oregon’s economy in 2012,” Wilson
said.

He has attracted plenty of attention from the county’s decision makers.

Mike Bezner, transportation engineering manager for Clackamas County,
reported at the Town Hall of new biking signage headed our way.
“There are 10 new ‘Share the Road’ signs going up in the next two weeks,”
Bezner said. “The signs will appear on Marmot Road, Barlow Trail and Lolo
Pass.”

A new bike friendly business initiative is also in place from Travel Oregon – a
program funded through the lodging tax collected locally. Nastassja Pace is
the destination development specialist for Travel Oregon, and she presented
the new bike friendly online program for local businesses.

“Any business can participate,” Pace said. “We’re the first state in the nation
to have a bike-friendly program for travelers.”

Highlights of the program are designed to:
– Help businesses understand the importance of Oregon’s growing bike
tourism industry.
– Provide tips and tools for how businesses can be bike friendly.
– Highlight businesses who commit to enhancing the Oregon biking
experience.

The program is free and will give tourism-related businesses special
recognition through Travel Oregon’s marketing channels, TravelOregon.com
and RideOregonRide.com. Participating businesses will receive a welcome
packet with a bike-friendly tool kit, stickers, window clings and the option to
purchase a customized bike friendly sign.

Pace added that to participate go to Industry.TravelOregon.com/BFB to learn
about the program and submit an application.

Mt. Hood Express
Teresa Christopherson, of Clackamas County’s social services, updated the
progress of the local bus service on the Mountain that now includes runs to
Government Camp, Skibowl and Timberline.

“The December numbers showed 3,000-plus riders, an all-time high, plus
23,000 riders for the year,” Christopherson said. “It’s great, despite no snow.
And the fares are still low, $1.50 or $2.00.”

Many local businesses and government organizations came together to “save”
the bus service when it looked like it would fold in June 2013 due to the loss
of funds from the business energy tax credit.

“Everyone came together,” Christopherson said. “The Forest Service, the
transit district, City of Sandy, the Resort, Timberline and Skibowl.”