Chapter 4511 of the Ohio Revised Code contains the laws that govern operation of vehicles on Ohio roads. Most driving laws apply to cyclists as well as motorists. The material cited in this article is taken from the OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION’S CYCLING SMARTER GUIDE and includes excerpts from the Ohio Revised Code pertaining to bicycle law and practical advice and illustrations that give you an understanding of how to safely and legally ride on public roads. The following are highlights from the Guide and are not an all inclusive list of Ohio bicycle laws.

FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD

The most important rule to remember when riding on public roads is that a bicyclist must ride with traffic and obey the same laws as motorists. The safest way to interact with traffic is to be a part of it, go with the flow of traffic, and be as predictable as possible.

RIDING WITH TRAFFIC

Use the rightmost lane that heads in the direction that you are traveling. Riding against traffic on the wrong side of the road is illegal and increases a cyclist’s risk dramatically. Did you know that riding against traffic is called salmoning? Going up stream.

RIDING BICYCLES; motorcycles abreast. (4511.55)

Persons riding bicycles or motorcycles upon a roadway shall ride not more than two abreast in a single lane, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles or motorcycles. This section does not require riding at the edge of the roadway when it is unreasonable or unsafe, such as:

• when necessary to avoid fixed or moving objects
• parked or moving vehicles, 
• surface hazards
• or if it otherwise is unsafe or impracticable to do so, 
• including when the lane is too narrow for the bicycle and an overtaking vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

RIDING IN A TRAVEL LANE

Ohio laws, bicyclists are to ride as far to the right side of the roadway as safely and practicably as possible (See Silver Wheels Safe Cycling Practices).  

A few general rules to follow:

• Ride far enough into the lane to avoid the risk from blind spots. It is a good rule to ride 3 feet from the curb if there are no parked cars and 3 to 4 feet from the door of a parked car if there is parallel on-street parking. 
  
• Remember that the shoulder is:
• Not a bike lane.
• Is not part of the roadway, the roadway begins at that white line to the left of the shoulder.

You should not ride on surfaces that are full of debris, heaved/missing pavement, or drainage grates that could cause you to fall. The right side of the road begins where there is a clear and usable space for you to ride. 

RULES FOR TURNS AT INTERSECTIONS (4511.36)

The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall be governed by the following rules:

• Approach for a right turn and a right-hand turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. Bike in the position of where the right tire of a car would be. 
• Approach for a left turn and a left-hand turn shall be made as close as practicable to the left side of a lane, taking the position of where the left tire of a car would be. This in the case where there is a single lane traffic traveling in one direction. Make a left turn from the right tire track of the lane when there is a left turn lane. In the 

RULES GOVERNING OVERTAKING AND PASSING OF VEHICLES (4511.27)

The operator of a vehicle, overtaking another vehicle, proceeding in the same direction 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. 

LIGHTS 

Ohio Law, 4511.56, you are required to have lights on your bicycle if you are riding at night or when visibility is less than 1,000 feet.

• You must have a white light on the front that emits at least 500 feet to the front and 300 feet to the sides. 
• You also must have a rear reflector on the back of the bicycle that flashes or is steady and visible from 100 to 600 feet. Cars now have day time lights on to get the attention of other motorists, we should turn on our lights in the day as well, for the same reason.

STOPS-LIGHTS OR SIGNS

You are required to stop at all red lights at intersections and obey all stop signs! Remain lined up behind the cars in your current travel lane. Do not “shimmy up to the front of the line at the intersection. This positioning is only acceptable if there is a dedicated space for the bicyclist to be in like a bike lane and /or a bike box. DO NOT weave in between and around cars to get ahead. This is illegal, you can be fined. A cyclist that does not stop at intersections or passes on the right, gives a bad name to the rest of the cycling community who are obeying the law.

TURN AND STOP SIGNALS (4511.39)

No person shall turn a vehicle, or move left or right upon a highway unless and until such driver (think driving your bicycle):

• You have exercised care to determine that the movement can be made with reasonable safety nor 
• Without giving an appropriate signal 

A signal of intention to turn or move right or left shall be given continuously but a bicycle (driver) must signal their intention not less than once.

HAND OR ARM SIGNALS (4511.40)

Hand signals shall be given with the left hand and arm as follows;

• Left turn, hand and arm extended horizontally;
• Right turn, left arm extended horizontally, bend at your elbow to extend your lower arm and hand up;
• Stop or decrease speed, hand and arm extended downward.

When you are signaling, it is good practice to look behind you and make sure the driver has seen your movements. Signaling may be the only communication you have with the surrounding users of the roadway.

RIDING IN A SHARED LANE

In Ohio, every roadway except for a limited access freeway is considered a shared roadway and bicyclists are allowed to ride there. There can be markings or signs that have been installed that are commonly referred to as a shared lane or “sharrow”, indicating to a motorist that bicyclists may be encountered. If applied properly, the pavement marking can also indicate to the bicyclist where it is the safest to ride (3’ to 4’ travel space is from the parked car or curb). When riding in a shared use lane, the same riding techniques and rules apply as described in other sections.

Definitions of a “Vehicle” and “Bicycle” are defined very similarly “means every device including a motorized bicycle in which any person or property may be transported”. Not allowed under this is a child’s tricycle or a motorized wheelchair or any electric personal assistive mobility device. Devise could by a traditional two wheeled bike or one wheel in front and two in the back or two wheels in the front and one wheel in the rear, any of which, wheels, is more than fourteen inches in diameter. 

Section 4511.52 Bicycles

Sections of the Revised Code that are applicable to bicycles apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any highway or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.