Section
444.01 Application of Traffic Code to Bicycles And Electric Bicycles
444.02 Equipment of Bicycles and Electric Bicycles
444.03 Equipment of Motorized Bicycles or Mopeds
444.04 Equipment of Motorcycles, Motor-Driven Cycles or Motor Scooters
444.05 Driving on Streets or Roadways
444.06 Duties at Intersection with Ambiguous or Nonworking Traffic Signal
444.07 Use of Signals
444.08 Driving or Parking on Sidewalks
444.09 Driving on Bike Paths
444.10 Driving on Bike Lanes or Shared Use Paths
444.11 Driving on Hiking Paths, Pedestrian-Only Paths, or In Parks
444.12 Driving Through a Safety Zone
444.13 Reckless Operation
444.14 General Operation of Bicycles and Electric Bicycles
444.15 General Operation of Motorcycles
444.16 General Operation of Low-Speed Micromobility Devices
444.17 Operation of Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices
444.18 Lighted Lights Required
444.19 Lights on Slow-Moving Vehicles
444.20 Prohibitions against Attaching Bicycles, Electric Bicycles, Sleds, and Other Items to Vehicles
444.21 Personal Delivery Devices
444.90 Definitions
444.99 Penalty.
CROSS REFERENCES
See Section Histories for Similar State Law
(a) Applicability. 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 roadway within this City or upon any path set aside for the use of bicycles.
(b) Violations; No Points to be Assessed. 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 ORC 4510.036.
(c) Court-Ordered Bicycling Skills Course. 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 by a motor vehicle operator when the trier of fact finds that the violation by the motor vehicle operator endangered the lives of 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 this Traffic Code for that violation.
(d) Exception. Divisions (b) and (c) of this section do not apply to violations of ORC 4511.19, or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance.
(ORC 4511.52)
(a) (EDITOR’S NOTE: The definition contained in this section is also located in Chapter 430, § 430.01.) 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 shall ride other than upon or astride the permanent and regular seat attached thereto or carry any other person upon such bicycle other than upon a firmly attached and regular seat thereon, and no person shall ride upon a 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 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.
(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 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 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 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 R.C. § 4507.05 in any of the following circumstances:
1. At any time when lighted lights are required by R.C. § 4513.03(A)(1);
2. While carrying a passenger;
3. On any limited access highway.
(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.
(e) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates subsection (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 subsection (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 subsection (b) or (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(ORC 4511.53)
(a) Brakes. Every motorized bicycle or moped shall be equipped with brakes meeting the rules adopted by the Ohio Director of Public Safety under ORC 4511.521.
(ORC 4513.20(A)(3))
(b) Additional Requirements. The requirements of division (a) of this section are in addition to the requirements of Section 444.05(d).
(c) Penalties. Whoever violates division (a) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(ORC 4513.99(B))
(a) Motorcycles.
(1) Headlights: Every motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one (1) and not more than two (2) headlights.
(ORC 4513.04)
(2) Brakes: Every motorcycle, when operated upon a street or roadway in this City, shall be equipped with at least one (1) adequate brake, which may be operated by hand or foot.
(ORC 4513.20(A)(2))
(3) Mufflers:
A. Every motorcycle with an internal combustion engine shall at all times be equipped with a muffler that is in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and no person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device upon a motorcycle on a street or roadway within this City. Every motorcycle muffler shall be equipped with baffle plates.
B. No person shall own, operate or have in the person's possession any motorcycle equipped with a device for producing excessive smoke or gas, or so equipped as to permit oil or any other chemical to flow into or upon the exhaust pipe or muffler of such motorcycle, or equipped in any way to produce or emit smoke or dangerous or annoying gases from any portion of such motorcycle, other than the ordinary gases emitted by the exhaust of an internal combustion engine under normal operation.
(ORC 4513.22)
(4) Rearview Mirrors: Every motorcycle shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the operator a view of the street or roadway to the rear of such motorcycle. Operators of motorcycles shall have a clear and unobstructed view to the front and to both sides of their motorcycles and shall have a clear view to the rear of their motorcycles by mirror.
(ORC 4513.23)
(5) Directional Signals: No person shall operate any motorcycle manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 1968, unless the vehicle is equipped with electrical or mechanical directional signals.
(ORC 4513.261)
(6) Stop Lights: Every motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one (1) stop light. Stop lights shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle, actuated upon application of the service brake, and may be incorporated with other rear lights. Such stop lights, when actuated, shall emit a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet (500') to the rear.
(ORC 4513.071)
(b) Motor-Driven Cycles or Motor Scooters.
(1) Directional Signals: No person shall operate any motor-driven cycle or motor scooter manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 1968, unless the vehicle is equipped with electrical or mechanical directional signals.
(ORC 4513.261)
(2) Stop Lights: Every motor-driven cycle or motor scooter shall be equipped with at least one (1) stop light. Stop lights shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle, actuated upon application of the service brake, and may be incorporated with other rear lights. Such stop lights, when actuated, shall emit a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet (500') to the rear.
(ORC 4513.071)
(c) Penalties. Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(ORC 4513.04; 4513.071; 4513.22; 4513.23; 4513.261; 4513.99(A))
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