373.07 RIDING BICYCLE ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY; 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)   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.

   (c)   Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, 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.

   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 Section 303.991 of the Traffic Code. (ORC 4511.55(A))

373.08 RECKLESS OPERATION; CONTROL, COURSE AND SPEED.

   (a)   No person shall operate a bicycle or electric bicycle:

      (1)   Without due regard for the safety and rights of pedestrians and drivers and occupants of all other vehicles, and so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person while in the lawful use of the streets or sidewalks or any other public or private property;

      (2)   Without exercising reasonable and ordinary control over such bicycle;

      (3)   In a weaving or zigzag course unless such irregular course is necessary for safe operation in compliance with law;

      (4)   Without both hands upon the handle grips except when necessary to give the required hand and arm signals, or as provided in Section 373.02 (d);

      (5)   At a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing.

   (b)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense; on a second offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree; on each subsequent offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

373.09 PARKING OF BICYCLE.

   (a)   No person shall park a bicycle or electric bicycle upon a sidewalk in such a manner so as to unduly interfere with pedestrian traffic or upon a roadway so as to unduly interfere with vehicular traffic.

   (b)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense; on a second offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree; on each subsequent offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

373.10 MOTORIZED BICYCLE OPERATION, EQUIPMENT AND LICENSE.

   (a)   No person shall operate a motorized bicycle upon any street or 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 fourteen or fifteen years of age and holds a valid probationary motorized bicycle license issued after the person has passed the test provided for in Ohio R.C. 4511.521, or the person is sixteen years of age or older and holds either a valid commercial driver’s license issued under Ohio R.C. Chapter 4506, or a driver’s license issued under Ohio R.C.

         Chapter 4507, or a valid motorized bicycle license issued after the person has passed the test provided for in Ohio R.C. 4511.521, except that if a person is sixteen 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 Ohio R.C. 4511.521;

      (2)   The motorized bicycle is equipped in accordance with rules adopted by the Ohio Director of Public Safety and is in proper working order;

      (3)   The person, if under eighteen 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 rear-view mirror; and

      (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)   No person operating a motorized bicycle shall carry another person upon the motorized bicycle.

   (c)   The protective helmet and rearview mirror required by subsection (a)(3) of this section shall, on and after January 1, 1985, conform with rules adopted by the Ohio Director of Public Safety.

   (d)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. (ORC 4511.521)

373.11 RIDING ON SIDEWALK.

   (a)   No person shall ride a bicycle, a skateboard, a scooter, in line skates or roller skates upon a sidewalk within an area bounded by Sturges Avenue and Bowman Street on the west, Fourth Street on the north, Adams Street on the east and Second Street on the south and all City- owned property, excepting City-owned parks outside the Central Business District.

   (b)   No person shall ride a bicycle, a skateboard, a scooter, in line skates or roller skates upon a sidewalk or within the area commonly known as “Central Park”.

   (c)   No person shall ride a bicycle, a skateboard, a scooter, in line skates or roller skates upon a sidewalk where the Chief of Police or officer designated by him has prohibited the riding of them thereon and has erected signs on or along such sidewalks setting forth such prohibition.

   (d)   Whenever a person is riding a bicycle, a skateboard, a scooter, in line skates or roller skates upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before attempting to overtake and pass such pedestrian.

   (e)   The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to bicycles operated by Mansfield police officers on duty.

(Ord. 98-210. Passed 9-1-98.)

   (f)   Whoever violates any provision of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense; on a second offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree; on each subsequent offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

373.12 REGISTRATION.

   (a)    All bicycles and motorized bicycles operated on the streets and public ways shall be registered and licensed with the Police Division, within forty-eight hours after the purchase of the same. The owner shall register the same and make application for a license which registration shall include the owner's name and address, the name of the manufacturer, its serial number, style and general description. In the event the owner is a minor, the parent, guardian or person having the care of such minor or with whom he lives shall register on behalf of the owner.

   (b)    Any person, firm, company or corporation selling a bicycle or motorized bicycle shall notify the Division of Police of such sale, to whom it was made, the date, the manufacturer, the style and serial number. (Ord. 79-182. Passed 6-5-79.)

   (c)   Whoever violates any provision of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense; on a second offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree; on each subsequent offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

373.13 SALE, TRANSFER OR DISMANTLING.

   (a)    In case of sale or transfer of ownership of a bicycle or motorized bicycle, the person to whom it was sold or transferred shall immediately have the same registered pursuant to this Traffic Code.

   (b)    The seller or transferrer of a bicycle or motorized bicycle shall report such sale or transfer to the Division of Police and shall return to the Division the registration and license tag furnished by the Division upon registration. The seller or transferrer shall also furnish the name and address of the purchaser or transferree. Reports under this subsection shall be made within five days of sale or transfer.

   (c)    It shall be the duty of every person who dismantles, scraps, reduces to junk, destroys or otherwise removes a bicycle or motorized bicycle from operation or use for operation, whether registered or not, to report the same to the Division of Police.

(Ord. 79-182. Passed 6-5-79.)

   (d)   Whoever violates any provision of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense; on a second offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree; on each subsequent offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.