Page 16 - January 2019 | Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal

BarJournal YOuNG LAWYERS

JU LY /A UGUST 20 15
fEATUrE OhiO Bike Laws

BY ALISA BOLES

I. THE BASICS A cyclist must signal when making a turn and Issues with sidewalks
If you’re like most people I encounter, you might when coming to a stop. This may seem counterintuitive at first, but
find that sharing the road with cyclists can be As you may recall, we learned hand signals for a sidewalk is not necessarily the safest place
confusing at times. As a person who loves both slowing and turning in Driver’s Ed., for when for a bicycle. Most of us teach our kids to
cars and bikes, traffic issues frustrate me on our blinkers or brake lights go out. The same ride on the sidewalk when they are little,
multiple levels. When I’m driving a car, I don’t signals are to be used by cyclists. Point left for a but then we also have to teach them about
ever want to HIT anyone who is riding a bike, left turn, high 5 for a right and low 5 for slowing. the hazards of cars backing out from behind
just as much as I don’t want to GET HIT by a car, A cyclist may also just point right for a right turn. bushes and buildings, cars that don’t stop at
when I’m the one riding a bike. Cyclists need not signal continuously. Only once stop lines before crosswalks at intersections,
The good news is that Ohio already has is required for each lane change or turn and only etc. There is no set age, but once a person
many bike-friendly laws. There is still a struggle, when it is safe to take a hand off the handlebars is old enough to operate a bike with full
however, to get folks to conform to them — and (remember, we need our hands to control our control, and understand the rules of the road,
that goes for motorists and cyclists alike. bikes, including the brakes). it might actually be safest for them to ride
As with anything, the first step is awareness. in the street. This is where visibility is best.
Traffic laws can change from state to state and Bikes have certain equipment requirements. Moreover, bikes on sidewalks can actually be
even from town to town. Bikes are required to have adequate brakes hazardous to pedestrians. This is why some
We’ll begin with some basics. and lights for when it gets dark. Just like cars, cities have laws against riding on sidewalks.
headlights for bikes are white and taillights are For example, Euclid law prohibits riding a
A bike is a considered a vehicle under Ohio law. red. Bike lights can be steady stream or flashing. bicycle on a sidewalk in a business district.
As such, a cyclist generally has the same rights and State law also requires a rear red reflector. Some
responsibilities as the driver of a car. For example, municipalities have additional requirements. Issues with bike lanes
a cyclist must obey all traffic signals, such as stop Euclid, for instance, also requires a clear reflector Issues with the lanes themselves: Now, this is
lights and stop signs. As surprising as this may in the front, wheel reflectors (clear or amber in really going to sound strange, but the safest
be to some, this means that group rides that front/red in the back), a bell and a helmet if the place for a bicycle is not always in a bike lane,
practice “corking” (aka blocking) of intersections rider is under 14. either. It is all too regular an occurrence to
are violating the law if they do not have a permit. see a bike lane full of standing water, broken
Encourage your local reps to sponsor the bigger II. WHErE TO rIdE glass and other litter. Uneven pavement can
rides. Once a bike and cyclist are ready to go, the also add wear and tear to both the bike and
next concern is deciding where to ride. cyclist. If a pothole can throw a car out of
alignment and make a ride in even the nicest
car uncomfortable, imagine what it can do to
Author’s bike decked
out for GOBA 2018 someone riding a bike!
(Great Ohio Bike
Adventure), a 250+ Issues with parked cars: Parked cars also pose
mile tour that she hazards to bikes, either by physically blocking
completed with the bike lane, or when the bike lanes were put too
her son.
close to the parking lanes. Cyclists need an extra
few feet of clearance in case anyone opens a car
door as they pass by. Drivers are responsible for
any harm they cause opening their doors, but
wouldn’t it be a win for everyone if no one were
to get hit in the first place?
Issues with turns: A car should not cross through
a bike lane until it is sure it can do so without
cutting off a bicycle.
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