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(a) Every bicycle or electric bicycle when in use at the times specified in R.C. § 4513.03 or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance shall be equipped with the following:
(1) A lamp mounted on the front of either the bicycle or electric bicycle or the operator that shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and 300 feet to the sides. A generator-powered lamp that emits light only when the bicycle or electric bicycle is moving may be used to meet this requirement.
(2) A red reflector on the rear that shall be visible from all distances from 100 feet to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.
(3) A lamp emitting either flashing or steady red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear shall be used in addition to the red reflector. If the red lamp performs as a reflector in that it is visible as specified in division (a)(2) of this section, the red lamp may serve as the reflector and a separate reflector is not required.
(b) Additional lamps and reflectors may be used in addition to those required under division (a) of this section, except that red lamps and red reflectors shall not be used on the front of the bicycle or electric bicycle and white lamps and white reflectors shall not be used on the rear of the bicycle or electric bicycle.
(c) A bicycle or electric bicycle may be equipped with a device capable of giving an audible signal, except that a bicycle or electric bicycle shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a bicycle or electric bicycle any siren or whistle.
(d) Every bicycle and electric bicycle shall be equipped with an adequate brake when used on a street or highway.
(e) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(R.C. § 4511.56)
(a) No person shall operate a motorized bicycle upon a highway or any public or private property used by the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking, unless all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The person is 14 or 15 years of age and holds a valid probationary motorized bicycle license issued after the person has passed the test provided for in this section, or the person is 16 years of age or older and holds either a valid commercial driver’s license issued under R.C. Chapter 4506 or a driver’s license issued under R.C. Chapter 4507 or a valid motorized bicycle license issued after the person has passed the test provided for in this section, except that if a person is 16 years of age, has a valid probationary motorized bicycle license and desires a motorized bicycle license, the person is not required to comply with the testing requirements provided for in this section.
(2) The motorized bicycle is equipped in accordance with the rules adopted under division (b) of this section and is in proper working order.
(3) The person, if under 18 years of age, is wearing a protective helmet on the person’s head with the chin strap properly fastened and the motorized bicycle is equipped with a rearview mirror.
(4) The person operates the motorized bicycle when practicable within three feet of the right edge of the roadway obeying all traffic rules applicable to vehicles.
(b) The Director of Public Safety, subject to R.C. Chapter 119, shall adopt and promulgate rules concerning protective helmets, the equipment of motorized bicycles, and the testing and qualifications of persons who do not hold a valid driver’s or commercial driver’s license. The test shall be as near as practicable to the examination required for a motorcycle operator’s endorsement under R.C. § 4507.11. The test shall also require the operator to give an actual demonstration of the operator’s ability to operate and control a motorized bicycle by driving one under the supervision of an examining officer.
(c) Every motorized bicycle license expires on the birthday of the applicant in the fourth or eighth year after the date it is issued, based on the period of renewal requested by the applicant. No motorized bicycle license shall be issued for a period longer than eight years. A person who is 65 years of age or older may only apply for a motorized bicycle license that expires on the birthday of the applicant in the fourth year after the date it is issued.
(d) No person operating a motorized bicycle shall carry another person upon the motorized bicycle.
(e) The protective helmet and rearview mirror required by division (a)(3) of this section shall, on and after January 1, 1985, conform with rules adopted by the Director under division (b) of this section.
(f) Whoever violates division (a), (d) or (e) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(R.C. § 4511.521)
Statutory reference:
Suspension of probationary motorized bicycle license by the state, see R.C. § 4510.34
(a) Whenever a person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk or street, the person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before attempting to overtake and pass a pedestrian or another bicycle. This audible signal must be given only by bell or other warning device capable of giving an audible signal and shall be given at such a distance and in such a manner as not to startle the person being overtaken and passed.
(b) No person shall ride a bicycle across or through any intersection involving a through street. These intersections are to be crossed by walking the bicycle across or through the intersection.
(c) Whenever a person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, the person, before overtaking and passing a blind person carrying a white or metallic cane, shall dismount and overtake or pass on foot.
(d) When a bicycle is operated on the street, the operator shall give hand signals before turning, changing lanes or stopping. The signals shall conform with R.C. § 4511.40, or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance.
(e) Every rider of a bicycle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian or any vehicle upon any roadway, sidewalk or bicycle path, or endangering the life, limb or property of any person while in the lawful use of the streets, sidewalks or any other private or public property.
(f) No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and proper under the conditions then existing.
(g) The operator of a bicycle emerging from or turning into an alley, driveway or building shall, upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk area extending across any alley, driveway or building, yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching on the sidewalk area. Upon entering the street, the operator shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the street.
(h) No person shall engage in trick riding or operate a bicycle without both hands upon the handle grips except when necessary to give the hand signals required herein.
(a) No person shall park a bicycle upon a sidewalk in such a manner as to interfere with pedestrian traffic or damage the property of another.
(b) No person shall park a bicycle upon a roadway in such a manner as to interfere with vehicular traffic.
(c) No bicycle shall remain unlocked when parked upon any public way or place.
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