(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.
(ORC 4511.52; A.O.)
(d) Subsections (b) and (c) of this section do not apply to violations of Section 333.01 of this Traffic Code.
(1) A person operating a bicycle who is approaching an intersection where traffic is controlled by a stop sign may, without violating the Traffic Code, do any of the following without stopping if the person slows the bicycle to a safe speed:
A. Proceed through the intersection;
B. Make a right or left turn onto a two-way street;
C. Make a right or left turn into a one-way street in the direction of traffic upon the one-way street.
(2) A person operating a bicycle commits the offense of improper entry into an intersection where traffic is controlled by a stop sign if the person does any of the following while proceeding as described in subsection (d) (1) of this section:
A. Fails to yield the right of way to traffic lawfully within the intersection or approaching so close as to constitute and immediate hazard;
B. Disobeys the direction of a police officer;
C. Fails to exercise care to avoid an accident; or
D. Fails to yield the right of way to a pedestrian in an intersection or crosswalk.
(3) Whoever violates or fails to comply with any provision of this Section 373.01(d)(2) shall be 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.
(Ord. 32-2020. Passed 5-26-20.)
(e) The provisions of this Traffic Code shall apply to bicycles and electric bicycles except those which by their nature are not applicable.