Safe Passing Laws

Ohio requires that the operator of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle shall pass to the left at a safe distance and specifies that when a motor vehicle overtakes and passes a bicycle, 3 feet or greater is considered a safe passing distance.

Source: Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §4511.27

Helmet Law

Ohio has no helmet law. It is legal for all persons of any age to operate a bicycle without wearing a helmet unless otherwise provided by a municipal regulation.

Source: N/A

Share the Road license plates

Ohio, in conjunction with the Ohio Bicycle Federation, offers Share the Road license plates. For more information on such plates please visit the State of Ohio BMV site.

Source: Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §4503.521

Vulnerable Road User Laws

Ohio does not have any vulnerable road user laws at this time. There are currently no national standards for laws protecting vulnerable road users, but the League of American Bicyclists has drafted a Model Vulnerable Road User statute, which you can find here.

Source: N/A

Distracted Driving Laws

Ohio currently has the following laws aimed at distracted driving, subject to limited exceptions:

  • No person shall drive a motor vehicle, trackless trolley, or streetcar on any street, highway, or property open to the public for vehicular traffic while using a handheld electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication; and
  • No holder of a temporary instruction permit who has not attained the age of eighteen years and no holder of a probationary driver's license shall drive a motor vehicle on any street, highway, or property used by the public for purposes of vehicular traffic or parking while using in any manner an electronic wireless communications device.

Source: Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§4511.204; 4511.205

Where to Ride

Ohio requires that a bicyclist ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable obeying all traffic rules applicable to vehicles and exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.

However, a bicyclist is not required to ride at the edge of the roadway when it is unreasonable or unsafe to do so. Conditions that may require riding away from the edge of the roadway include including a lane that is too narrow for the bicycle and an overtaking vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

Source: Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §4511.55

Sidewalk Riding

Ohio provides that no person shall drive any vehicle, other than a bicycle, upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area except upon a permanent or duly authorized temporary driveway.

Source: Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §4511.711

Mandatory Use of Separated Facilities

Ohio does not require that bicyclists use any lane or path other than a normal vehicular traffic lane.

Source: N/A

Bicycling Under the Influence

In Ohio, bicycles are defined as vehicles. Ohio's law prohibiting driving while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances is written so that it applies to all vehicles and therefore applies to bicyclists. Bicycles should not be operated while intoxicated and operating a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances may result in severe punishments.

Source: Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§4511.19; 4511.01

"Idaho Stop" and Vehicle Detection Errors

Ohio does not provide any modifications to the requirement to come to a complete stop when directed to stop by traffic control devices and does not authorize bicyclists to disobey traffic lights that fail to detect bicyclists.

Source: N/A

Authorization for Local Regulation of bicycles

Ohio provides that its state traffic laws do not prevent local authorities from, with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction and within the reasonable exercise of the police power, regulating the operation of bicycles; provided that no regulation shall be fundamentally inconsistent with the state traffic laws and that no regulation shall prohibit the use of bicycles on any roadway except as otherwise allowed. No local authority may require that bicycles be operated on sidewalks.

Source: Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§4511.07; 4511.711

Dooring law

Ohio requires that no person open the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic. In addition, no person shall leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.

Source: Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §4511.70(C).

Treatment as a Vehicle

In Ohio bicycles are vehicles according to the statutes that define what a vehicle is. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway must obey all traffic rules applicable to vehicles.

 

Source: Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§4501.01(A); 4511.01(A); 4511.55(A)

Source of Laws

The laws regulating the operation of bicycles in the state of Ohio are generally found in Title 45 of the Ohio Revised Code (Ohio Rev. Code Ann.), available here http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/45.  

Other Resources

The following resources may be useful:

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