Bicycle Laws
It’s in everyone’s benefit to be familiar with bicycle laws: whether it’s bicyclists, so they can ride their bike safely, or motorists, who are responsible for sharing our state’s roadways. Below, you’ll find the majority of State and Cleveland Heights laws pertaining to bicycles.
Please note that the Heights Bicycle Coalition is merely interpreting state and city laws. We made great effort to explain the law clearly and correctly, but there is always the risk of error. The U.S. judicial system expects citizens to adhere to the law precisely as it has been written by the legislature, and never according to the interpretation of others. If you discover a mistake, or if the laws have changed, we hope you’ll let us know so we can update our website.
You can find Ohio and Cleveland Heights law here:
Ohio State Bicycle Laws:
http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4511
Codified Ordinances of Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Select Ohio Laws
Chapter 4511 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) governs the operation of vehicles on roadways:
ORC 4511.01(A) “Vehicle” means every device…in upon, or by which any person…may be transported or drawn upon a highway…(including a bicycle).
ORC 4511.55 Operating bicycles and motorcyles on roadway.
(A) Every person operating a bicycle on a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable obeying all traffic rules applicable to vehicles.
(C) This section does not require a person operating a bicycle to ride on 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 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 if the lane is too narrow for the bicycle and an overtaking vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
ORC 4511.12 Obedience to traffic control devides.
(A) No pedestrian, driver of a vehicle or operator of a streetcar or trackless trolley shall disobey the instructions of any traffic control device placed in accordance with this chapter unless at the time otherwise directed by a police officer.