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Olmsted Falls Overview
Codified Ordinances of Olmsted Falls, OH
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474.07 PARKING BICYCLES.
   (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.
(Ord. 65-73. Passed 12-11-73.)
474.08 RIDING UPON SEATS; CARRYING PACKAGES; MOTORCYCLE 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 handle bars.
   (g)   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, nor shall any motorcycle be operated on a highway when the handle bars or grips are more than fifteen inches higher than the seat or saddle for the operator.
   (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 438.02(a)(1);
         B.   While carrying a passenger;
         C.   On any limited access highway or heavily congested roadway.
   (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)
474.09 ATTACHING BICYCLES, MOTORCYCLES TO OTHER VEHICLES
   (a)   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.
   (b)   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.
   (c)   This section does not apply to towing a disabled vehicle.
   (d)   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 § 404.991.
(ORC 4511.54; Ord. 28-72. Passed 5-23-72.)
474.10 IMPOUNDMENT.
   When a police officer has reasonable cause to believe that the operator of a bicycle is physically unable to continue to operate such bicycle in a safe manner, or when the police officer finds it necessary to legally take the operator of a bicycle into custody, or when the physical condition of the bicycle either renders continued operation unsafe or would automatically result in a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter due to improper or inadequate equipment. The police officer or other member of the Police Department may seize or impound such bicycle. The bicycle shall be transported to and kept in a safe place designated by the Safety Director. The Safety Director shall make and publish regulations governing the impounding, safekeeping and release of such bicycles. Such regulations shall provide, at a minimum, for the release of the impounded bicycle upon application by any responsible person who offers evidence that the conditions which necessitated the impoundment have ceased to exist. In no event shall an impounded bicycle be released to any person who is not at least eighteen years of age. If the bicycle operator is not at least eighteen years old the bicycle shall be released only to the parent or guardian of such individual.
(Ord. 65-73. Passed 12-11-73.)
474.11 PUBLIC SAFETY CAMPAIGN.
   The Police Department shall conduct a yearly bicycle public safety campaign with the cooperation of the Municipal public schools.
(Ord. 65-73. Passed 12-11-73.)
474.12 MOTORCYCLE COMPLIANCE.
   In addition to the other provisions of this chapter, persons operating motorcycles shall be subject to all of the laws of the City and State regarding the operating of motor vehicles.
(Ord. 65-73. Passed 12-11-73.)
474.13 OPERATION OF MOTORIZED BICYCLES.
   (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 Ohio R.C. Chapter 4506 or a driver's license issued under Ohio R.C. Chapter 450 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, he or she 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 he or she is under 18 years of age, is wearing a protective helmet on his or her 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 Ohio 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 Ohio R.C. 4507.11. The test shall also require the operator to give an actual demonstration of his or her 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.
(R.C. § 4511.521)
   (f)   Whoever violates division (a), (d), or (e) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(ORC 4511.99(F))
Statutory reference: 
   Revocation of probationary motorized bicycle license by the State, see Ohio R.C. 4507.167
474.14 ELECTRIC BICYCLES.
   (a)   (1)   On and after January 1, 2020, manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles shall permanently affix a label, in a prominent location, to each electric bicycle. The label shall specify whether the electric bicycle is a class 1, class 2, or class 3 electric bicycle, the top assisted speed that the electric bicycle is capable of reaching, and the motor wattage of the electric bicycle.
      (2)   No person shall modify an electric bicycle in a manner that changes the top assisted speed that the electric bicycle is capable of reaching unless the person also modifies the label required under division (a)(1) of this section to reflect the modification.
   (b)   (1)   The manufacturer of an electric bicycle shall ensure that the electric bicycle complies with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles established by the consumer product safety commission under 16 C.F.R. §§ 1512 et seq.
      (2)   The manufacturer shall manufacture all class 1 electric bicycles and class 3 electric bicycles so that when the rider ceases pedaling the electric motor ceases to provide assistance. The manufacturer shall manufacture all class 2 electric bicycles so that when the rider applies the brakes or releases or activates a switch or similar mechanism the electric motor ceases to provide assistance.
      (3)   All class 3 electric bicycles shall be equipped with a speedometer that displays the speed of the electric bicycle in miles per hour.
   (c)   (1)   The operation of a class 1 electric bicycle and a class 2 electric bicycle is permitted on a path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles or on a shared-use path, unless the county, township, municipal corporation, other local authority, or state agency as defined in R.C. § 1.60 with control over the path by resolution, ordinance, or rule prohibits the use of a class 1 electric bicycle or class 2 electric bicycle on such a path.
      (2)   No person shall operate a class 3 electric bicycle on a path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles or a shared-use path unless that path is within or adjacent to a highway or the county, township, municipal corporation, or local authority, or state agency as defined in R.C. § 1.60 with control over the path by resolution, ordinance, or rule authorizes the use of a class 3 electric bicycle on such a path.
      (3)   No person shall operate a class 1 electric bicycle, a class 2 electric bicycle, or a class 3 electric bicycle on a path that is intended to be used primarily for mountain biking, hiking, equestrian use, or other similar uses, or any other single track or natural surface trail that has historically been reserved for non-motorized use, unless the county, township, municipal corporation, other local authority, or state agency as defined in R.C. § 1.60 with control over the path by resolution, ordinance, or rule authorizes the use of a class 1 electric bicycle, a class 2 electric bicycle, or a class 3 electric bicycle on such a path.
      (4)   Divisions (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this section do not apply to a law enforcement officer, or other person sworn to enforce the criminal and traffic laws of the state, using an electric bicycle while in the performance of the officer’s duties.
   (d)   (1)   No person under 16 years of age shall operate a class 3 electric bicycle; however, a person under 16 years of age may ride as a passenger on a class 3 electric bicycle that is designed to accommodate passengers.
      (2)   No person shall operate or be a passenger on a class 3 electric bicycle unless the person is wearing a protective helmet that meets the standards established by the Consumer Product Safety Commission or the American Society for Testing and Materials.
   (e)   (1)   Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever operates an electric bicycle in a manner that is prohibited under division (c) of this section and whoever violates division (d) 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 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.
      (2)   The offenses established under division (e)(1) of this section are strict liability offenses and strict liability is a culpable mental state for purposes of R.C. § 2901.20. The designation of these offenses as strict liability offenses shall not be construed to imply that any other offense, for which there is no specified degree of culpability, is not a strict liability offense.
(R.C. § 4511.522)
474.99 PENALTY.
   (EDITOR'S NOTE: See Sections 408.01 and 408.02 for general Traffic Code penalty if no specific penalty is provided.)