If state officials get their way, pedal power should rule this week.

PennDOT, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) joined other officials on Monday, May 16, to kick off Bike to Work Week – May 16 to May 20 – by announcing the launch of a new interactive mapping tool for BicyclePA routes.

“With the many benefits of bicycling, I encourage Pennsylvanians to bike to work wherever possible,” PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards said in a PennDOT press release. “Interest in biking continues to grow across Pennsylvania as more people recognize the benefits of incorporating active transportation, biking and walking into their lives. Our message today is that PennDOT and the commonwealth are committed to being truly multimodal.”

The Bike Route Map uses layers to provide the user with detailed bike routes, traffic volumes, and speed limits and includes DCNR trails, state parks and state forests. Find the new interactive Bike Route Map on the “Ride A Bike” page under “Travel In PA” at www.penndot.gov, the release said.

In support of Governor Tom Wolf’s proclamation commemorating Bike to Work Week, representatives from state agencies, local government and the legislature took part in an executive bike ride around Harrisburg that culminated on the Capitol steps, and officials noted the importance of continuing to develop safe options for riders.

“The Department of Labor and Industry makes worker safety a priority every day, and a safe commute is part of that,” L&I Deputy Secretary for Administration Chris Dwyer said in the release. “By providing safe and expansive bike trails, workers are able to get to and from work safely while getting some terrific exercise.”

DOH Secretary Dr. Karen Murphy added that health benefits are considerable. “It can boost your physical well-being and provide an opportunity to de-stress and enjoy some fresh air,” she said.

Pennsylvania’s robust natural resources were noted as a prime opportunity for cycling.

“Today’s event may be promoting the health and environmental benefits of biking to work, but when the weekend or day off rolls around, I’m inviting all Pennsylvanians to get on a bike and see it as their ticket to outdoor adventure and natural beauty all across our state,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn in the release. ”We are blessed with more than 11,000 miles of trails, 121 state parks and more than 2.2 million acres of state forestland, all offering unlimited biking terrain and opportunities.”

Dunn noted that DCNR is a partner in Get Outdoors PA, which offers a calendar of guided outings and includes tech support and riding tips to encourage riders to strike out on bikes regardless of location.

“With the passage of Act 89 of 2013, Pennsylvania has become a leader in transportation and infrastructure funding, including a portion allocated for multimodal projects, said Rep. Madeleine Dean in the release. “We should continue to encourage multimodal options, including bikes, to promote energy efficient and eco-friendly means of transportation and strive to increase Pennsylvanian's quality of life by creating healthy, more livable, forward-thinking communities.”

With a focus on sharing the road, Rep. David Maloney suggested that Bike to Work Week offers an opportunity to focus on road safety. “This is not just about bicycles, but also being aware of joggers, horse and buggies and motorcyclists. Too many people are injured or killed on our roads due to lack of awareness and those incidents are completely avoidable,” he said in the release.

PennDOT encourages riders to wear reflective clothing in order to be more visible to drivers. For more information on bicycle safety, visit www.JustDrivePA.com. A series of bicycle-safety videos covering state bicycle laws and safety measures is viewable on the department’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/pennsylvaniaDOT.