(*) Excerpts from OHIO Revised Code

* links are provided to Ohio Revised Code

4511.01  Traffic laws - operation of motor vehicles definitions.

(G) "Bicycle" means every device, other than a device that is designed solely for use as a play vehicle by a child, that is propelled solely by human power upon which a person may ride, and that has two or more wheels, any of which is more than fourteen inches in diameter.

(H) "Motorized bicycle" or "moped" means any vehicle having either two tandem wheels or one wheel in the front and two wheels in the rear, that may be pedaled, and that is equipped with a helper motor of not more than fifty cubic centimeters piston displacement that produces not more than one brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of not greater than twenty miles per hour on a level surface. "Motorized bicycle" or "moped" does not include an electric bicycle.

(RRR) [Added by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 250] "Electric bicycle" means a "class 1 electric bicycle," a "class 2 electric bicycle," or a "class 3 electric bicycle" as defined in this section.

(SSS) "Class 1 electric bicycle" means a bicycle that is equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than seven hundred fifty watts that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour.

(TTT) "Class 2 electric bicycle" means a bicycle that is equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than seven hundred fifty watts that may provide assistance regardless of whether the rider is pedaling and is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour.

(UUU) "Class 3 electric bicycle" means a bicycle that is equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than seven hundred fifty watts that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty-eight miles per hour.

4511.01 EQUALITY CUTS BOTH WAYS

Ohio Revised Code §4511.01  — Bikes are legal vehicles and should follow all the laws of the road. If you don’t, you can be ticketed like any other vehicle.

4511.07(A)(8), 4511.051(2) ANYWHERE BUT THE FREEWAY

Ohio Revised Code §4511.07(A)(8), 4511.051(2) — No local regulation can prohibit the use of bicycles on any roadway with the exception that a cyclist cannot ride on a Freeway.

4511.25, 4511.27 RIDE WITH THE FLOW

Ohio Revised Code §4511.25, 4511.27 — Always ride with the flow of traffic, and do not pass slow or stopped vehicles on the right even when there is a bike lane.

4511.27 KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE

The operator of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle shall pass to the left at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. When a motor vehicle overtakes and passes a bicycle, three feet or greater is considered a safe passing distance.

4511.39 BE PREDICTABLE

Ohio Revised Code §4511.39 — Use hand signals when turning so people understand your movements. However, you do not have to take your hand off the bars to signal if you feel it is unsafe to do so.

4511.55 BIKES ARE LEGAL VEHICLES

Bikes are legal vehicles and belong on the road. Cyclists can use the full travel lane just like cars. Take the lane if you feel the need to do so; it’s your right.

4511.55(B) RIDING TWO ABREAST

Ohio Revised Code §4511.55(B) — Ohio law allows cyclists to ride side by side (but it’s been suggested that bikes “single up” out of courtesy when we cyclists deem it safe and reasonable to do so if the traffic is backing up).

4511.56 BE BRIGHT, HAVE LIGHTS

Ohio Revised Code §4511.56 — Bike lights are required at night. Red for the back, white for the front; you’re invisible at night without them.

4511.132 TRAFFIC LIGHT - special consideration:

Ohio law permits any Ohio vehicle to proceed through an intersection after stopping and yielding right-of-way, even when not detected by the device meant to move the signal from red to green.