CHAPTER 373
Bicycles and Motorcycles Generally
373.01   Code application to bicycles.
373.02   Riding upon seats; handle bars; helmets and glasses.
373.03   Attaching bicycle or sled to vehicle.
373.04   Riding bicycle on right side of roadway; riding bicycles and motorcycles abreast; obedience to traffic rules; passing.
373.05   Signal device on bicycle. (Repealed)
373.06   Lights, signal devices, brakes on bicycles.
373.07   Riding bicycle on right side of roadway; obedience to traffic rules; passing. (Recodified)
373.08   Reckless operation; control, course and speed.
373.09   Parking of bicycle.
373.10   Riding bicycles and skateboards on sidewalks.
373.11   Operation on John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway.
373.12   License and registration required. (Repealed)
373.13   Obtaining license; registering with Safety-Service Director.
373.14   License fees. (Repealed)
373.15   License tags, registration cards, records.
373.16   Displaying registration cards. (Repealed)
373.17   Transfer of ownership.
373.18   Bicycles taken out of operation. (Repealed)
373.19   Removing, destroying serial numbers of license tags.
373.20   Loss or destruction of tags or cards.
373.21   Impounding of bicycles without tags or serial numbers. (Repealed)
373.22   Police to take possession. (Repealed)
373.23   Duty of police officers observing violations. (Repealed)
373.24   Operation of motorized bicycles.
373.25   Bicycle routes.
373.26   Electric bicycles.
 
373.99   Penalty. (Repealed)
   CROSS REFERENCES
   See section histories for similar State law
   Bicycle regulations to be consistent with State law - see Ohio R.C. 4511.07(A)(8)
   Bicycle defined - see TRAF. 301.04
   Motorcycle defined - see TRAF. 301.19
   Bicycles prohibited on freeways - see TRAF. 303.06
   Motorcycle operator's license required - see TRAF. 335.01
   Motorcycle headlight - see TRAF. 337.03
   Motorcycle brakes - see TRAF. 337.18
   Operation on paths set aside for bicycles - see TRAF. 331.41
373.01 CODE APPLICATION TO BICYCLES.
   (a)   The provisions of this Traffic Code which are applicable to bicycles and electric bicycles apply whenever a bicycle or electric bicycle is operated upon any highway or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
   (b)   Except as provided in division (d) of this section, a bicycle operator or electric bicycle operator who violates any provisions of this Traffic Code described in division (a) of this section that is applicable to bicycles or electric bicycles may be issued a ticket, citation, or summons by a law enforcement officer for the violation in the same manner as the operator of a motor vehicle would be cited for the same violation. A person who commits any such violation while operating a bicycle or electric bicycle shall not have any points assessed against the person’s driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, temporary instruction permit, or probationary license under Ohio R.C. 4510.036.
   (c)   Except as provided in division (d) of this section, in the case of a violation of any provision of this Traffic Code described in division (a) of this section by a bicycle operator, electric bicycle operator, or motor vehicle operator when the trier of fact finds that the violation by the motor vehicle operator endangered the lives of bicycle riders or electric bicycle riders at the time of the violation, the court, notwithstanding any provision of the Ohio Revised Code to the contrary, may require the bicycle operator, electric bicycle operator, or motor vehicle operator to take and successfully complete a bicycling skills course approved by the court in addition to or in lieu of any penalty otherwise prescribed by this Traffic Code or the Ohio Revised Code for that violation.
   (d)   Divisions (b) and (c) of this section do not apply to violations of Ohio R.C. 4511.19, or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance.
(ORC 4511.52)
   (e)   Every person operating a bicycle shall obey the instructions of official traffic control devices and signals applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
   (f)   The provisions of this Traffic Code shall apply to bicycles except those which by their nature are not applicable.
373.02 RIDING UPON SEATS; HANDLE BARS; HELMETS AND GLASSES.
   (a)   For purposes of this section, “snowmobile” has the same meaning as given that term in Ohio R.C. 4519.01.
   (b)   (1)   No person operating a bicycle or electric bicycle shall ride other than upon or astride the permanent and regular seat attached thereto or carry any other person upon the bicycle or electric bicycle other than upon a firmly attached and regular seat thereon, and no person shall ride upon a bicycle or electric bicycle other than upon such a firmly attached and regular seat.
      (2)   No person operating a motorcycle shall ride other than upon or astride the permanent and regular seat or saddle attached thereto, or carry any other person upon the motorcycle other than upon a firmly attached and regular seat or saddle thereon, and no person shall ride upon a motorcycle other than upon such a firmly attached and regular seat or saddle.
      (3)   No person shall ride upon a motorcycle that is equipped with a saddle other than while sitting astride the saddle, facing forward, with one leg on each side of the motorcycle.
      (4)   No person shall ride upon a motorcycle that is equipped with a seat other than while sitting upon the seat.
      (5)   No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article that prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.
      (6)   No person operating a bicycle or electric bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article that prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.
      (6)   No bicycle or electric bicycle or motorcycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped. No motorcycle shall be operated on a highway when the handlebars rise higher than the shoulders of the operator when the operator is seated in the operator’s seat or saddle.
   (c)   (1)   Except as provided in division (c)(3) of this section, no person shall operate or be a passenger on a snowmobile or motorcycle without using safety glasses or other protective eye device. Except as provided in division (c)(3) of this section, no person who is under the age of 18 years, or who holds a motorcycle operator’s endorsement or license bearing a “novice” designation that is currently in effect as provided in Ohio R.C. 4507.13, shall operate a motorcycle on a highway, or be a passenger on a motorcycle, unless wearing a protective helmet on the person’s head, and no other person shall be a passenger on a motorcycle operated by such a person unless similarly wearing a protective helmet. The helmet, safety glasses, or other protective eye device shall conform with rules adopted by the Ohio Director of Public Safety. The provisions of this paragraph or a violation thereof shall not be used in the trial of any civil action.
      (2)   A.   Except as provided in division (c)(3) of this section, no person shall operate a motorcycle with a valid temporary instruction permit and temporary instruction permit identification card issued by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles pursuant to Ohio R.C. 4507.05 unless the person, at the time of such operation, is wearing on the person’s head a protective helmet that conforms with rules adopted by the Ohio Director of Public Safety.
         B.   No person shall operate a motorcycle with a valid temporary instruction permit and temporary instruction permit identification card issued by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles pursuant to Ohio R.C. 4507.05 in any of the following circumstances:
            1.   At any time when lighted lights are required by Ohio R.C. 4513.03(A)(1);
            2.   While carrying a passenger;
            3.   On any limited access highway or heavily congested roadway.
      (3)   Divisions (c)(1) and (c)(2)A. of this section do not apply to a person who operates or is a passenger in an autocycle or cab-enclosed motorcycle when the occupant compartment top is in place enclosing the occupants.
   (d)   Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the carrying of a child in a seat or trailer that is designed for carrying children and is firmly attached to the bicycle or electric bicycle.
   (e)   Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (b) or (c)(1) or (c)(2) of 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 division (b) or (c)(1) or (c)(2) of 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 division (b) or (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(ORC 4511.53)
373.03 ATTACHING BICYCLE OR SLED TO VEHICLE.
   (a)   (1)   No person riding upon any bicycle, electric bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled, skateboard, or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself or herself to any vehicle upon a roadway.
      (2)   No operator shall knowingly permit any person riding upon any bicycle, electric bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled, skateboard, or toy vehicle to attach the same or himself or herself to any vehicle while it is moving upon a roadway.
      (3)   This section does not apply to towing a disabled vehicle.
   (b)   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.
   (c)   If the offender commits the offense while distracted and the distracting activity is a contributing factor to the commission of the offense, the offender is subject to the additional fine established under § 303.99(b).
(R.C. § 4511.54)
373.04 RIDING BICYCLE ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY; RIDING BICYCLES AND MOTORCYCLES ABREAST; OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC RULES; PASSING.
   (a)   Every person operating a bicycle or electric bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable obeying all traffic rules applicable to vehicles and exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
   (b)   Persons riding bicycles, electric bicycles, or motorcycles upon a roadway shall ride not more than two abreast in a single lane, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, electric bicycles, or motorcycles.
   (c)   This section does not require a person operating a bicycle or electric bicycle to ride at the edge of the roadway when it is unreasonable or unsafe to do so. Conditions that may require riding away from the edge of the roadway include when necessary to avoid fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, surface hazards, or if it otherwise is unsafe or impracticable to do so, including if the lane is too narrow for the bicycle or electric bicycle and an overtaking vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
   (d)   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.
   (e)   If the offender commits the offense while distracted and the distracting activity is a contributing factor to the commission of the offense, the offender is subject to the additional fine established under § 303.99(b).
(R.C. § 4511.55)
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