(a) Rules for Operation of Bicycles and Electric Bicycles.
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(3) No bicycle or electric bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.
(4) Nothing in this division 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.
(ORC 4511.53)
(b) Additional Rules for the Operation of Electric Bicycles.
(1) No person under sixteen (16) years of age shall operate a class 3 electric bicycle; however, a person under sixteen (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.
(3) Divisions (b)(1) and (b)(2) do not apply to a law enforcement officer, or other person sworn to enforce this Traffic Code, using an electric bicycle while in the performance of the officer's duties.
(ORC 4511.522)
(c) Penalties.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this division (c)(1), whoever violates division (a) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pled guilty to one (1) predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates division (a) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two (2) or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates division (a) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(ORC 4511.53)
(2) A. Except as otherwise provided in this division (c)(2), whoever violates division (b) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pled guilty to one (1) predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates division (a) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two (2) or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates division (a) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
B. The offenses established under division (c)(2)A. of this section are strict liability offenses and strict liability is a culpable mental state for purposes of ORC 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.
(ORC 4511.522)