CHAPTER 373
Bicycles and Motorcycles
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 bicycles and motorcycles abreast.
373.05    Signal device on bicycle.
373.06    Lights and reflector on bicycle; brakes.
373.07    Riding bicycle on right side of roadway; obedience to traffic rules; passing.
373.08    Reckless operation; control, course and speed.
373.09    Parking of bicycle.
373.10    Motorized bicycle operation, equipment and license.
373.11   Electric bicycles.
 
CROSS REFERENCES
See sectional histories for similar State law
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(a)
Motorcycle headlight - see TRAF. 337.03
Motorcycle brakes - see TRAF. 337.18(b)
Motorcycle protective equipment - see OAC Ch. 4501-17
Motorized bicycle equipment - see OAC Ch. 4501-23
 
373.01 CODE APPLICATION TO BICYCLES.
   (a)   The provisions of this Traffic Code that are applicable to bicycles and electric bicycles apply whenever a bicycle or electric bicycle is operated upon any street or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
   (b)   Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a bicycle operator or electric bicycle operator who violates any section of this Traffic Code described in subsection (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 subsection (d) of this section, in the case of a violation of any section of this Traffic Code described in subsection (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 this Traffic 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 the Traffic Code for that violation.
   (d)   Subsections (b) and (c) of this section do not apply to violations of Section 333.01 of this Traffic Code. (ORC 4511.52)
   (e)   The provisions of this Traffic Code shall apply to bicycles and electric 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)   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 such 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.
   (c)   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 such 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.
   (d)   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.
   (e)   No person shall ride upon a motorcycle that is equipped with a seat other than while sitting upon the seat.
   (f)   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.
   (g)   No bicycle, 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.
   (h)   (1)   Except as provided in subsection (h)(2) 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 subsection (i)(3) of this section, no person who is under the age of eighteen years, or who holds a motorcycle operator's endorsement or license bearing "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 United States Department of Transportation-approved 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 subsection or a violation thereof shall not be used in the trial of any civil action.
      (2)   Subsection (h)(1) of this section does not apply to a person operating an autocycle or cab-enclosed motorcycle when the occupant compartment top is in place enclosing the occupants.
   (i)   (1)   No person shall operate a motorcycle with a valid temporary permit and temporary instruction permit identification card issued by the Ohio 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 has been approved by the United States Department of Transportation that conforms with rules adopted by the Director.
      (2)   No person shall operate a motorcycle with a valid temporary instruction permit and temporary instruction permit identification card issued by the Registrar pursuant to Ohio R.C. 4507.05 in any of the following circumstances:
         A.   At any time when lighted lights are required by Section 337.02(a)(1);
         B.   While carrying a passenger;
         C.   On any limited access highway or heavily congested roadway.
(3)   Subsections (i)(1) and (i)(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.
   (j)   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.
   (k)   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.
(ORC 4511.53)
373.03 ATTACHING BICYCLE OR SLED TO VEHICLE.
   (a)   No person riding upon any motorcycle, bicycle, electric bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled, skateboard or toy vehicle shall attach the same or self to any vehicle upon a roadway.
   No operator shall knowingly permit any person riding upon any motorcycle, bicycle, electric bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled, skateboard or toy vehicle to attach the same or self to any vehicle while it is moving upon a roadway. This section does not apply to the towing of a disabled vehicle.
   (b)   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 4511.54)
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