Does The City Of Cleveland Require My Bike To Be Registered

While information technology shouldn't exist, riding a bicycle tin can occasionally be a dangerous matter. This folio serves every bit a resource where you can find some common laws, best practices, and legal contacts when the worst happens and you're involved in an incident. We are lucky here to take 2 passionate and experienced lawyers equally supporters who non only piece of work hard on a daily footing to abet on the behalf of cyclists, just are riders themselves and understand the reality of what life is like on two wheels.

We too accept downloadable resources; our Crash Carte du jour if things go wrong on a ride, and the Laws That Apply to cyclists and motorists to share with friends and co-workers. These are also available in printed carte du jour form by contacting us, or at most events we nourish.

Fast Links:

|| Mutual Laws for Cyclists ||

|| Common Laws for Drivers ||

|| Crashes Happen: What To Do ||

|| A Deeper Look At These Topics ||

Common Laws for Cyclists

Cyclists May Apply Total Lane ORC §4511.55(A) & (C) (A) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall 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 1 proceeding in the same direction. (C) This department does non crave a person operating a bicycle to ride at the edge of the roadway when it is unreasonable or dangerous to do so. Weather condition that may crave riding away from the edge of the roadway include when necessary to avert stock-still or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, surface hazards, or if it otherwise is unsafe or impracticable to do and then, including if the lane is also narrow for the bicycle and an overtaking vehicle to travel safely side past side inside the lane. Please e'er ride with the flow of traffic! (ORC §4511.25)

Dead Crimson at Signalized Intersections ORC §4511.132 Brief version: "…the signals are otherwise malfunctioning, including the failure of a vehicle detector to detect the vehicle" This but means if the intersection is the type that only changes when a vehicle is present, and it does not detect you and your cycle, that you MAY proceed through on red Later on completely stopping and checking for safe.Full version: (A) The driver of a vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley who approaches an intersection where traffic is controlled by traffic control signals shall practise all of the following if the point facing the driver exhibits no colored lights or colored lighted arrows, exhibits a combination of such lights or arrows that fails to clearly indicate the assignment of correct-of-way, or, if the vehicle is a bike, the signals are otherwise malfunctioning due to the failure of a vehicle detector to detect the presence of the wheel: (ane) Stop at a conspicuously marked terminate line, but if none, stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, if none, stop before entering the intersection; (two) Yield the right-of-manner to all vehicles, streetcars, or trackless trolleys in the intersection or approaching on an intersecting route, if the vehicles, streetcars, or trackless trolleys will constitute an immediate hazard during the time the driver is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways; (3) Exercise ordinary intendance while proceeding through the intersection.

Forepart and Rear Lights at Night ORC 4511.56 (A) Every cycle when in apply at the times specified in department 4513.03 of the Revised Code, shall exist equipped with the following: (1) A lamp mounted on the forepart of either the bicycle or the operator that shall emit a white light visible from a altitude of at least five hundred feet to the front and three hundred feet to the sides. A generator-powered lamp that emits low-cal only when the bicycle is moving may be used to meet this requirement. (2) A ruby reflector on the rear that shall be visible from all distances from one hundred anxiety to 6 hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle; (3) A lamp emitting either flashing or steady cerise light visible from a altitude of five hundred anxiety to the rear shall be used in addition to the red reflector. If the carmine lamp performs as a reflector in that it is visible as specified in division (A)(2) of this section, the red lamp may serve equally the reflector and a separate reflector is not required.

Hand Signals ORC § 4511.39 …in the instance of a person operating a bicycle, the indicate shall exist made not less than i time but is non required to be continuous. A bicycle operator is non required to make a signal if the cycle is in a designated turn lane, and a signal shall not be given when the operator'southward easily are needed for the safe operation of the bicycle.

Licence Points ORC §4511.52 …a bicycle operator who violates whatever section of the Revised Lawmaking described in division (A) of this department that is applicable to bicycles may be issued a ticket, citation, or summons by a police enforcement officer for the violation in the same manner equally the operator of a motor vehicle would be cited for the same violation. A person who commits any such violation while operating a bicycle shall not have any points assessed against the person's driver's license, commercial commuter's license, temporary instruction permit, or probationary license nether section 4510.036 of the Revised Code. This does non employ if the cyclist is riding under the influence! (DUI)

Common Laws for Drivers

3 Feet or Greater When Passing Bicycles (ORC) §4511.27 (A) The post-obit rules govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles or trackless trolleys proceeding in the aforementioned direction: (i) The operator of a vehicle … shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance, and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle or trackless trolley. When a motor vehicle or trackless trolley overtakes and passes a wheel, three feet or greater is considered a safe passing distance. A double yellow line CAN be crossed to accomplish this if weather condition are prophylactic to practise so. http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4511.31 explains this.

Interactions with Bike Lanes ORC4511.713 Utilize of bicycle paths. (A) No person shall operate a motor vehicle, snowmobile, or all-purpose vehicle upon any path set bated for the exclusive utilize of bicycles, when an advisable sign giving observe of such use is posted on the path. Read more about how to collaborate with bike lanes HERE.

Bicycles are Legal Road Vehicles ORC §4511.55(A) & (C) (A) Every person operating a wheel upon a roadway shall ride every bit almost to the right side of the roadway as practicable obeying all traffic rules applicable to vehicles and exercising due intendance when passing a continuing vehicle or ane proceeding in the aforementioned direction. (C) This section does not require a person operating a bicycle to ride at the edge of the roadway when it is unreasonable or unsafe to do so. Conditions that may crave riding away from the edge of the roadway include when necessary to avoid fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, surface hazards, or if it otherwise is unsafe or impracticable to do and then, including if the lane is too narrow for the bicycle and an overtaking vehicle to travel safely side by side inside the lane.

Dooring Cyclists: Ohio ORC §4511.70 (C) states, in part, that …no person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do then and tin be washed without interfering with the movement of other traffic. Endeavor the Dutch Reach.

Crashes Happen: What To Practice

Beginning, let'due south get acquainted with our two supporting attorneys that specialize in cycling laws.

Ken Knabe

Ken is Greater Cleveland's Bike Chaser.

Knabe Law House is Northeast Ohio'south but police force firm specifically geared to serving injured cyclists and pedestrians. Ken consistently supports and sponsors the wheel community AND is an avid cyclist who protects, and specializes in representing, cyclists injured past dangerous drivers. Since he'southward subject area to the aforementioned weather condition when riding, Ken takes it personally when a young man cyclist is injured past an unsafe driver! He supports the bike customs through membership in, and corporate sponsorship of Bicycle Cleveland in addition to co-authoring the Bikes & the Law section.

Ken does all he tin to promote cycling safety by serving on Vision Nil Cleveland'south Maintenance and Fleet Vehicle Sub-Committee since its inception in 2018. Vision Nil is a strategy designed to reduce to zero the number of traffic fatalities and severe injuries on our roads, for all users. He serves on the boards of the Ohio Bicycle Federation and the Ohio to Erie Trail and wrote the book on Bike Police force: "Cycling Rights: Bicycles, E-Bikes and Micro-Mobility Devices". You can pick upwardly a re-create of "Cycling Rights" at BikeCleveland.org/Shop All profits get to Bike Cleveland.

Ken is a sometime CATA President, a highest "A" Rated personal injury lawyer and Elevation fifty 2022 Cleveland Super Lawyer with extensive trial experience and numerous publications on Ohio bike injury law. KLF is i of only two firms in Ohio to accomplish Silvery Designation past the League of American Bicyclists.

Ken'southward appearances include WCPN Ideastream, WKYC Aqueduct 3, Cleveland.com, CoolCleveland.com, Lakewood Observer, Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Acceleration, Cleveland Public Library and Cleveland Police force Library. His law office is at 14222 Madison Avenue in Lakewood, Ohio. Ken can be reached at 216-228-7200.

Steve Magas

Steve Magas, Ohio's Bike Lawyer, is an avid cyclist and an Ohio trial lawyer with 35+ years of trial experience in state and federal courts throughout Ohio. He has been working on "bike" cases and bike constabulary issues since the early 1980s and has handled more than 400 bicycle crash cases. Today, 90+% of Steve's case load consists of "Bike Cases" – representing cyclists injured, or the families of those killed, in "wheel" crashes throughout the Country of Ohio. Steve jokes that from 9-5 he represents cyclists and from 5-ix he is a cycling advocate. Steve is a long time board member of the Ohio Bicycle Federation, where he focuses on analyzing and drafting police like the "Three Foot Law" and the "Amend Bicycling Bill" of 2006. He also works with local cycling organizations, similar Cycle Cleveland, Yay Bikes in Columbus, TAB in Toledo, Queen Urban center Bikes in Cincinnati and others throughout the state. On a national level Steve has published a regular cavalcade on Wheel Law in "Bicycle The states" as well equally "Cycle Midwest" and "Cycle Ohio." Steve is a co-author of "Bicycling & The Law" and a contributing author to "Wheel Accident Reconstruction & Litigation." Currently, Steve teaches Bicycle Law to attorneys and judged in his "BIKE Law 101" Continuing Legal Pedagogy classes. Steve recently signed a contract with ODOT & Toole Pattern to participate as a legal consultant on a project to review and clarify all of Ohio'southward bicycle & pedestrian laws.

Steve Magas handles bike cases throughout the State of Ohio… from Cleveland to Cincinnati- Youngstown to Portsmouth – Bellefontaine to Marietta. Steve'south pop web log can exist read at www.OhioBikeLawyer.com – Steve always provides a free consultation every bit to any potential bike instance and can be reached via email at BikeLawyer@me.com or by phone at 513-484-BIKE [2453]. Steve brings his primary tenets – "Feel – INTEGRITY – EXCELLENCE – JUSTICE" to every case.

Wheel Crash: Protect your Rights!

As cyclists, we have all thought about getting hit by a auto while riding. Most cycle accidents occur when drivers do not see y'all due to inattention, poor eyesight, distracted driving, or driving under the influence. As too many riders already know, getting hit by a motorcar while riding your bike is no joke. A cyclist ever loses in a crash with a 3- to four-g-pound vehicle. If yous are striking, the post-obit eleven tips will aid you to option up the pieces and protect your rights.

(one) Don't Panic

Sailing over the hood of a car or finding yourself pinned underneath ane are equally terrifying events. Your brain is flooding your body with adrenaline. Your mind is racing a mile a infinitesimal. Do non panic. Accept notation of your surround. Do you accept a stiff physical bulwark betwixt you lot and oncoming cars? Make sure yous are out of the fashion of moving traffic. Go someplace condom and triage your injuries.

(2) Telephone call 911

If yous are injured, you will likely need firsthand medical care. Paramedics are trained to evaluate acute injuries. Let the professionals cheque you out. Ofttimes, injured victims cannot immediately study the extent of their injuries, due to adrenaline or shock. Take the ambulance to the ER if you need it.

(3) Ever Call the Police

Call the law to certificate and map out the standoff scenario, have measurements, photos and witness statements to ensure that you will be able to plant a liability case against the negligent motorist. If you are a victim of a striking-and-run and have Uninsured Motorist coverage, y'all need contained corroborative evidence, ideally from a witness. Make certain you or the police accept identified witnesses and secured their contact information before leaving the scene, if possible. Try to record the license plate number, colour and model of the hit-and-run vehicle.

It is helpful if you, or someone else takes photos of the scene before information technology is cleaned up. Hand off your telephone to a Good Samaritan and enter this witness information in your phone. Ever insist that a police report be made. You will regret after if yous practise not! The police should record the commuter's name, address, and insurance data.

(4) Preserve Your Damaged Bike

Your bike only went from trusted transportation source to potentially critical slice of bear witness. Preserve it in its collision status to avoid an eventual statement that y'all tainted the very evidence required to support your claim. Collect your cracked helmet, torn bike apparel and bent rims for show. You will probably detect scuffs on your bike shoes and damage to your wheel computer. Photo information technology and preserve it, not only for holding damage compensation simply to corroborate your physical injuries.

(five) Get the Medical Handling You Need

Nosotros never tell injured victims to get medical care if they do not need it. We do, however, tell our clients that they had amend get the treatment they need, or insurance adjusters and lawyers will fence that they simply were not injure. Unless you have medical records and reports to back up your claimed injuries, settlement negotiations will non be fruitful. Practise non filibuster in getting the intendance you demand. Do not miss your physical therapy or doctors' appointments. Comply fully with the course of handling prescribed by your medical providers. You need to help your medical team for it to well-nigh effectively help y'all heal.

(6) Keep Track of Your Medical Expenses / Lost Wages

Remember when having health insurance meant the doc would see yous for a $x co-pay? Modern insurance has grown complicated. Keep good records of each of your out-of-pocket expenses, including medications and medical devices, to ensure that you practice not pay for intendance that you lot received due to someone else'southward negligence.

If you miss work because of your injuries, accomplish out to your employer to summate the wages that you lot lost. Work a commission or sales job? Use historical figures to aid bolster your statement for expected earnings.

(vii) Pain Periodical / Chart of Lost Enjoyment

A daily journal describing your pain level and loss of activities will help establish your loss of enjoyment. We include everything from scheduled road races or triathlons, gym records, and softball league schedules to demonstrate how injuries impact our clients' lives.

(8) What is Subrogation?

In this context, subrogation ways the right to exist paid back by the negligent party for expenses incurred to help the not-negligent, injured political party. Think of it like this: your health insurance policy likely gives your insurer the right to be reimbursed for the intendance you lot received due to your bike crash injuries. Theoretically, you could compromise your future wellness insurance coverage if yous do not aid your insurer in its quest for reimbursement out of whatsoever settlement that you receive. Be extra careful if you receive governmental health intendance benefits. The regime'south right to reimbursement is protected past state and / or federal law.

(9) Dealing with the Negligent Motorist'south Insurance Company

Insurance adjusters are trained to become equally much information from you lot every bit possible, and to employ that information against yous. They will try to become you to provide a recorded statement and blanket medical authorizations for them to dig into your private health history. Practice non fall for information technology. Past medical records for treatment that bears no relation to the parts of your trunk that are injured in the standoff simply are non relevant to the case. Practise non give a recorded argument until you lot take spoken to an experienced bike injury attorney.

(10) Do I need a Lawyer?

Aye, if your accident is serious. Hiring an experienced injury bicycle lawyer volition facilitate this complicated process and usually result in four-5 times more compensation. Attorneys handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee ground. That means yous practice not pay the attorney straight to handle your case. Rather, the attorney takes a fee of any eventual settlement or award that you receive. The standard fee is 33 i/iii % of the gross recovery if no lawsuit is filed. If a lawsuit is filed, it is twoscore% of the gross recovery. Attorneys generally front end the expenses for the instance, but are then paid back out of the settlement (exclusive of the fee).

Attorneys should not accept cases unless they experience they tin can add together value to a cyclist's claim. About of the time, it makes best sense for injured cyclists to hire an aggressive bike trial lawyer to work their example. Sometimes, in very minor cases, it may non.

Pick a cycle lawyer with whom you are comfortable and who volition actually represent you all the style to trial, if necessary. Many lawyers push button y'all off to a junior acquaintance or paralegal after the first meeting. Hire a lawyer who (1) will personally handle your instance and (2) who is not afraid to try it to a jury.

(11) Signing on the Dotted Line

Insurance companies demand global releases of liability in exchange for settlements. That means you get 1 shot at the apple. One time you settle, you will non be able to come back and ask for more coin, even if you crave future medical treatment, miss more work, and/or continue to feel hurting and suffering from a standoff. Exist very careful well-nigh accepting a settlement before yous are admittedly certain that its terms benefit you. One more reason to hire an experienced wheel injury lawyer!

A Deeper Look At These Topics

CYCLIST Law: RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

By: Cyclist Attorney Kenneth J. Knabe of Knabe Law Firm Co., LPA

Road bicyclists are many varying types: commuters, messengers, urban absurd, social, hard-core and recreational. With the "greenish" revolution in alternate transportation, the proliferation of bike lane access, and the social and fettle benefits, bicycling is very popular in the Greater Cleveland area.

Ohio law requires cyclists and drivers to share the route inside the following legal parameters. Knowing your legal rights and responsibilities is vital for all cyclists' riding safety, enjoyment and experience.

A bike is defined as a vehicle: a cyclist must obey all traffic rules applicable to vehicles. Ohio Rev. Code Ann. (ORC) §§4501.01(A) & 4511.01(A). For example, a cyclist must finish at red lights and stop signs (ORC §4511.43); yield to pedestrians on a sidewalk (ORC §4511.441); use a specified forepart white lite, rear red deflector and light from dusk to sunrise and when visibility is depression due to weather weather. (ORC 4511.56); and ride in the direction of route traffic (ORC §4511.25).

FYI: cyclists that follow traffic laws are in 75-80% fewer accidents!

No points can be assessed for a cyclist who violates traffic laws unless the cyclist is driving under the influence (DUI) (ORC §§4511.52 and 4511.19). Often times, a police officer may cite a cyclist and inadvertently fail to delineate the citation as a no bespeak violation. All cyclists should be leery of waiving an appearance on a bicycle traffic citation to avoid being wrongfully assessed points for a moving violation. Also, if a cyclist is cited in a car-wheel accident, an Chaser should exist consulted before a cyclist waives an appearance, or appears in courtroom, to appraise the validity of the citation.

A cyclist must ride as near to the right side of the roadway equally practicable and obey all traffic rules and exercise due care when passing. Notwithstanding, a cyclist is not required to ride at the correct edge of the roadway when it is unreasonable or dangerous due to surface objects, hazards or when the lane is then narrow that a car cannot safely pass the cyclist (ORC §4511.55(A) & (C)).

Ohio police force sets a three-pes prophylactic altitude for a auto passing a bicycle. (ORC §4511.132; 4511.27). Also, bank check your local ordinances. For example, Cleveland Ordinance §431.03 besides requires a 6-foot passing altitude for commercial trucks. I take successfully used this law to establish liability when my client cyclist client was hit by a passing auto that apparently did not leave three feet of safe distance – despite allegations that my customer was weaving.

Ohio police force does not mandate the wearing of a helmet, but some local authorities i.e. cities, crave helmets, particularly for minors. Though it is generally legal for an developed to operate a bicycle without wearing a helmet, two-thirds or more than of fatally injured bicyclists were not wearing helmets.

Ohio police provides that its country traffic laws practise non forestall local authorities from reasonably regulating the functioning of bicycles; however, no regulation tin be fundamentally inconsistent with the country traffic laws. No local regulation can prohibit the utilise of bicycles on any roadway with the exception that a cyclist cannot ride on a closed admission highway or freeway (ORC §§4511.07 (A)(viii) & 4511.051).

Ohio Constabulary permits cycling on the sidewalk, but many local ordinances have restrictions by and large in business districts aimed at inherent rubber concerns when cycling on a sidewalk.

No local authorisation can require that bicycles be operated only on the sidewalk (ORC §4511.711 (A)).

Ohio constabulary allows cyclists to ride two abreast (ORC §4511.55(B)) but many local ordinances prohibit information technology. Query, are these local ordinances fundamentally inconsistent with state law?

A nifty resource for contrasting state police and local say-so ordinances is independent in http://bikelaws.org/neo-bikelaws.htm

Drivers, please watch for cyclists on the road — look iii ways! Look to the left, look to the right, and so look for a cyclist in front of you, behind you when yous turn right, and when y'all turn left.

If you see a pack of cyclists passing you, expect for another pack or even a single straggler.

A commuter can legally laissez passer a cyclist providing they don't exceed the speed limit and it is prophylactic to do so; they must allow at least three feet when passing a cyclist. It is legal for the commuter to cross over a double-yellow line when passing. http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4511.31 (B) (1) (2) (3) Finally, every cyclist who owns a auto or is insured under an car liability policy every bit a household/family unit member, should be sure to have uninsured motorist coverage ('U' Coverage). This is coverage which applies if yous are hit on your bike by a devil-may-care uninsured or underinsured driver. Your U coverage should be at least 100,000.00 or more. You have to enquire your insurance amanuensis or company for U coverage, as there is no longer any requirement to automatically offer this coverage.

If a cyclist is hit by a careless hit-and-run driver, U coverage will also utilize if you have independent corroborative evidence besides your word that information technology happened. A witness would satisfy this prove need, or it could be cumulative such as the constabulary officers' observations, wheel damage with paint transfer, your statements fabricated immediately following the crash, and medical records. A cyclist who is the unfortunate victim of one of the many striking-and-run accidents in the Cleveland area, should ever phone call the police and secure a witness name and contact info, if possible.

Knowing your legal rightsand responsibilities equally a cyclist volition serve you well on the road and assist continue you safer.

WHAT A CYCLIST SHOULD Practice WHEN Hit By A Careless DRIVER

By: Cyclist Attorney Kenneth J. Knabe of Knabe Constabulary Firm Co., LPA

Remember this handy acronym: "P.H.O.North.East."!

P — Police: call the law and insist on a report, no thing what!
H — Healthcare: seek firsthand medical treatment for injuries.
O — Observation: get the driver's contact and insurance info, and names of all witnesses, or make sure the law obtain this vital information.
N — Notify: call a bike injury chaser (Ken 216.272.8595) BEFORE yous talk to a liability adjuster. The adjusters are pros for the insurance agencies – hire a pro for yourself!
E — Prove: don't let the at-fault political party move their machine or your cycle. Proceed all damaged property including bike, cracked helmet, ripped habiliment and damaged accessories.

CAUSES OF Bicycle CRASHES AND HOW DRIVERS MIGHT AVOID THEM

By: Cyclist Chaser Kenneth J. Knabe of Knabe Police Firm Co., LPA

It bears repeating that those who practice "Vehicular Cycling" – riding their wheel the way they bulldoze their motorized vehicle – are in 75-eighty% fewer accidents!

Causes of bike crashes include distracted driving due to:

Texting
Cell telephone usage
Alcohol and/or drug usage

Other causes include:

Lack of awareness of cyclist's presence on the route
Poor vision
Health issues
Impatience
Misjudgment

Types of bicycle crashes include:

The Rear End: Only how information technology sounds, cyclists become hit past a car from backside.
The Left Cross: A auto turning left turns directly in front of an oncoming cyclist.
The Right Claw, Function 1: A car passes a cyclist on the left, then turns right direct in front of you.
The Right Hook, Part ii: You are passing a ho-hum-moving motorcar on the right, then it turns directly into a cyclist.
Dooring: When a commuter carelessly opens the door of their parked auto into a bicyclist passing on the left. The "Dutch Accomplish" is when they open up their driver side door with their Right hand, causing their trunk to hinge to the left — and giving them an automatic view of oncoming traffic. Ohio ORC §4511.lxx (C) states, in part, that "no person shall open up the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to practise and then and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic". Cleveland Ordinance §451.07 says that "traffic"includes bicycles, providing clearer protection to cyclists. Lakewood Ordinance §331.48 simply mirrors Ohio Revised Code without specifically mentioning bicycles. Notwithstanding, since bicycles are vehicles and a part of traffic, both the ORC and La kewood Ordinance should protect a cyclist, regarding dooring. Ken was interviewed on the topic of dooring past WKYC's The Investigator, Tom Meyers https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/investigations/investigator-bicyclists-auto-doors-collide-with-painful-results/95-455572541

HOW CAN A CYCLIST AVOID Beingness HIT BY A MOTORIST?

By: Kenneth J Knabe, Wheel Accident Attorney: Protecting Cleveland'due south Cyclists

As a bicycle attorney many concerned swain cyclists ask me how they can avoid being striking past a motorist.

A cyclist tin can assist avert getting hit by a motorist by following these guidelines:

Ride in the management of traffic (Ohio Revised Code §4511.25).
Obey traffic rules of the road. A bicycle is divers every bit a vehicle nether Ohio Law (Ohio Revised Code 4501.01 (A) and 4511.01(A)).
Ride every bit if you were a motor vehicle (i.e. stop at cease signs, red lights and yield to pedestrians on the sidewalk). Cyclists who follow these 2 rules are in 75% less accidents.
Stay visible by wearing contrasting and reflective clothing.
At night, you must take a white low-cal in front and a red in the back beginning an 60 minutes before sunrise and sunset (Ohio Revised Code §4511.56).
Continue vigilant – avoid using headphones.
Try to make eye contact with the commuter to make sure the commuter sees y'all earlier pulling out in front end of yous.
Don't hesitate to yell or utilize a bell to make your presence known.
Ride to the right of the lane unless a dangerous or hazardous condition exists (Ohio Revised Code §4511.55 (A) & (C)).
Don't exist afraid to take the entire lane when there is insufficient room in the lane for the driver to pass you safely.

Remember: Wear a helmet! Although not mandatory, most deaths occur to cyclists not wearing helmets.

Am. H. B. No. 154; Ohio'southward iii-Foot Safe Passing law

By: Kenneth J Knabe, Bicycle Blow Chaser: Protecting Cleveland's Cyclists

Many thanks to The Ohio Bicycle Federation, Bike Cleveland, the Ohio House and Senate, and the Governor for the passage of this much-needed cycle safety police.

Ohio'due south three-foot minimum safe altitude passing requirement, Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §4511.27 and the "dead red" exception, ORC §4511.132 were signed into law by Governor Kasich on December 19, 2016 and become effective March 19, 2017

Nether newly-enacted ORC §4511.27(A)(one) & (2), a driver of a machine passing a cyclist riding in the same management shall pass to the left at a distance of three feet or more, and shall not drive again to the right until the driver'south vehicle has safely cleared the cyclist. (This rule does not employ at intersections controlled by traffic command signals.) Upon the car's audible signal, the cyclist beingness passed must give way to the right in favor of the overtaking car, and the cyclist shall not increase speed until completely passed by the car. A driver that violates this department is guilty of a minor misdemeanor unless convicted of 1 or more "predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses" which include most other traffic offenses. See ORC §4511.27 (B) & §4511.01 (III) (i). Cleveland already had a similar law but now information technology is a State wide requirement.

ORC §4511.132 was amended to permit a cyclist to cease and then safely enter an intersection on "dead red". This occurs when a red light is not tripped to green because of declining to detect a vehicle, i.e. a wheel.

Can a cyclist go through a ruddy calorie-free later on Ohio Revised Lawmaking § 4511.132 (A) goes into result on March xix, 2017?

Past: Kenneth J Knabe, Bicycle Accident Attorney: Protecting Cleveland'south Cyclists

Generally, "no". Even so, if the traffic light detector does not detect your bike, yous may ride through the intersection on cherry only afterwards you lot brand a consummate stop, if you can do and so safely and yield to oncoming traffic which has the right of style. Yous better be certain your wheel is not detected before entering on red and that it is prophylactic to enter!

The pertinent linguistic communication of ORC § 4511.132 is as follows:
The driver of a vehicle…. who approaches an intersection where traffic is controlled by traffic control signals shall practise all of the following, if… the signals are otherwise malfunctioning, including the failure of a vehicle detector to discover the vehicle;
ane) Finish at a clearly marked end line, but if none, cease before inbound the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, if none, finish before entering the intersection;
2) Yield the right-of-way to all vehicles… in the intersection or approaching on an intersecting route, if the vehicle…. will constitute an immediate risk during the time the driver is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways;
3) Exercise ordinary care while proceeding through the intersection.

The New Child in Town: Eastward-Cycle (electronic bike)

Past: Kenneth J Knabe, Bicycle Accident Chaser: Protecting Cleveland's Cyclists

The East-Bicycle

Aventon Class 3 E-Bicycle available at Joy Machines Bike Shop , Cleveland

It looks a lot like the traditional "muscle-powered" bike.

Fairdale traditional bike shown by Joy Machines Bicycle Store owner Alex Nosse

The Due east-Bike is the fastest-growing bike market in the U.S. and—since exploding in popularity a few years ago (even earlier the pandemic)—they are appearing on our roads in greater numbers. Electronic bikes allow riders to climb hills with less endeavor, get faster, and extend trip lengths thus making commuting easier. E-Bikes also encourage people, peculiarly those with concrete limitations, to cycle more than frequently…all expert things for the riders and our environment.

What is an Due east-bike?

Eastward-Bikes are low-speed-express bicycles with fully operable pedals, and electric motors less than 750 watts/1 horsepower which run on batteries. For the most part, nether Ohio Police, they are defined and treated like a traditional bicycle. Despite having motors, electronic bikes are explicitly excluded from Ohio's definition of a motor vehicle and practice not require a license, registration, or proof of insurance to operate, lending to their popularity.

How are E-Bikes classified in Ohio?

Form i: provides motor assistance only when the rider is pedaling and stops assisting once the bikes max speed of 20 mph is reached
Course 2: provides motor assistance without the rider pedaling and stops profitable one time the bikes max speed of 20 mph is reached
Class 3: provides motor assistance only when the rider is pedaling and stops assisting once the bikes max speed of 28 mph is reached

Where can you lot ride an E-Bike in Ohio?

Information technology depends on the nomenclature.

Simply put, you tin can ride Class ane and Form ii E-Bikes wherever yous legally ride a traditional bike. This includes the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) Towpath and Cleveland Metroparks all-purpose trails. Reminder: Due east-Bikers need to stay off mountain bike, hiking, and equestrian trails. Too, the CVNP prohibits Course 2 Eastward-Bikes operating in throttle mode on the Towpath.

Course three Eastward-Bikes, because of their college speeds, are reserved for the road and are not allowed on the bike or shared use paths including the Cleveland Metroparks all purpose trails and the Towpath.

More details on E-bikes on the towpath or Metroparks all purpose trails hither: Superintendent'southward Compendium – Cuyahoga Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov). See as well Cleveland Metroparks Code Section 373.01.

What motorists need to know almost E-Bikes

Eastward-Bikes are hither to stay. According to an commodity published in Forbes in 2020, Due east-Bike popularity "will become hotter still, [the industry is] anticipating a "surge" from 2020-2023 with 130 1000000 E-bikes to be sold".

A Class 3 electronic cycle can get equally fast equally a traditional aristocracy route cyclist and gauging their speed tin be tricky. For everyone's wellbeing information technology is imperative for motorists to realize that the cycle they merely passed may be an E-Bike moving at a higher speed than normally predictable. To avoid crashes, motorists need to be aware and take this into consideration when passing E-Bikes—specially to avoid the right-claw cycle crash if they intend to make a right-mitt turn in forepart of the cyclist.

"Safety is everyone'southward responsibility." – Ken