Bike Safety




Two Wheels, One Voice.

Bike Safety

How to keep your head from smarting and other safety tricks for bicyclists of all ages.

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April 1 1985: Franz Doodler sets out to test his theory that giant springs will protect a bicyclist in a crash. Doodler's fate remains a mystery. There were, however, several reports that day of loud "boings" in neighboring counties.
Conclusion: Bicycle safety means wear a helmet and ride safely.

On this page we will provide for you information about bicycle safety. That is, how you can enjoy your bike and not get hurt! We plan to provide information booklets here on bicycle safety and give you the Ohio Revised Code Bicycle Laws so you may learn how the State of Ohio regulates bicyclists. Also see the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute.

Head Smart Bike Safety

Teach Your Child To Ride A Bike - Safely

Hand Signals Where in the lane should you ride?	Know Your Skill Level Includes kids on bikes
Cycling Safety. The best way to avoid collisions	The Helmet Rap What you need to know about them
Bicycling Safety Tips For Beginning Cyclists	Bicycle Lawyer - From Cincinnati Cycling Club
A Story About a Boy, A Set Of Blades And A Helmet *A lesson for fathers and sons*

Ohio Revised Code - Bicycle Laws
2921.33.1 Following Police Orders: All persons are obligated to follow the lawful orders of a police officer

4511.01 Definitions
- Vehicle: Each device used for the purpose of transportation on a highway. Exceptions are devices powered by overhead electrical wires, or which moves on stationary rails, or are powered by humans (other than a bicycle). A bicycle is a vehicle
- Bicycle: Every device propelled solely by human power and having either two tandem wheels, or one wheel in the front and two wheels in the rear, any of which measures more than 14 inches in diameter. This excludes tricycles designed as a play vehicle for children.
- Driver/Operator: Every person who is in physical control of a vehicle, including a bicycle.
- Street/Highway: The entire width between the boundary lines of a public thoroughfare open to the public for vehicular travel.
- Roadway: The portion of a highway ordinarily used for vehicular travel, except for the berm or shoulder.
- Right of Way: The right of a vehicle or pedestrian to proceed uninterruptedly in the direction in which it is moving in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian approaching from a different direction.
- Freeway: A divided multilane highway with underpasses or overpasses at all crossroads. Examples are SR. 11, portions of U.S. 35 and I-75.
- Expressway: A divided major highway with more than half of all crossroads having an underpass or overpass.
4511.051 Prohibitions On Use Of Freeways - No person shall operate a bicycle within the boundary lines of a freeway expect where there exists a facility that is separate from the roadway and shoulders designed and appropriately marked for bicycle use.
4511.07 Local Traffic Regulations: Local authorities may regulate the operation of bicycles and require registration and licensing.
4511.12 Obeying Traffic Control Devices - Drivers of bicycles are obligated to obey all traffic control devices including: flagpersons, signs, pavement markings and signal lights.
4511.13 Signal Lights: The red , green and yellow signal lights apply to all vehicles including bicyclists.
4511.15 Flashing Traffic Signals At flashing red stop signals, the driver of a vehicle shall stop before the crosswalk or intersection, move forward for a clear view of approaching traffic, and proceed the same as for a stop sign. (See 4511.43) At flashing yellow caution signals, the driver of a vehicle may proceed through the intersection only with caution.
4511.19 Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs Operation of a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited.
4511.20 Reckless Operation It is unlawful to intentionally operate a vehicle in a manner which endangers the safety of persons or property.
- 4511.201 Reckless Operation Off Roads It is unlawful to intentionally operate a vehicle off-road in a manner which endangers the safety of persons or property. This does not apply to competitive operation when knowingly sanctioned by the owner of the property.
4511.21 Speed Limits No persons shall operate a vehicle at a speed greater or less than is reasonable or proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface and width of the street or highway and any other conditions, and no person shall drive any vehicle in and upon any street or highway at a greater speed than will permit him to bring it to a stop within a safe enough time to avoid collision.
4511.22 Slow Speed No driver may operate a vehicle at such a slow speed so as to impede the normal flow of traffic except when necessary for safe operation or to comply with law.
4511.25 Lanes of Travel A vehicle is to be ridden on the right side of the roadway except when: 1) passing another vehicle going in the same direction, 2) making a left turn, 3) when an obstruction exists, 4) when driving on a roadway divided into three or more marked lanes for traffic, or 5) when driving on a roadway for one-way traffic. (See 4511.55)
4511.26 Traveling In Opposite Direction Operators of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right, and on roadways wide enough for one single lane of traffic, in each direction, each operator shall give the other one-half of the roadway.
4511.27 Passing Other Vehicles A driver must audibly signal before passing any other vehicle and then he or she may proceed to pass on the left. The vehicle being passed must give way after being signaled and must not increase speed.
4511.32 One Way Traffic And Rotary Islands When travelling on a one-way street a vehicle must proceed only in the direction indicated by the one-way sign. A vehicle driving around a rotary traffic island must drive only to the right on the island.
4511.35 Driving on Divided Highways Drivers must always travel on the right side of the roadway when driving on a divided highway and never crossover the highway except where crossing is clearly designated as permissible.
4511.36 Turning At An Intersection Right turn; make right turns as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. Left turn; driver must be as close to the right on the center line as is practicable before turning left. After passing through the intersection the vehicle shall commence travel in the lane closest to the right of the center line. When traveling on a one-way street a left turn must always be made in the extreme left hand lane available.
4511.39 Turning And Stop Signals A driver must indicate his or her intention to turn, or move left or right, by signaling continuously at least one hundred feet prior to a turn. A signal is also required when bringing a vehicle to a stop or suddenly decreasing speed.
4511.40 Hand And Arm Signals When using hand and arm signals always do so from the left side of the vehicle and in the following manner:
- Left turn - left hand and arm extended horizontally.
- Right turn - left hand and arm extended upward. Also by extending the right hand and arm horizontally and to the right side of the bicycle (effective 9/9/1996)
- Stop of decrease speed - left hand and arm extended downward.
4511.41 Right Of Way At Intersections When two vehicles coming from different directions approach an intersection at approximately the same time, the driver on the left shall yield the right of way to the vehicle on the right.

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