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Ride Safe, Ride
Right!
We would like to remind you
that the best way to gain the respect of others on the road
is to earn it. Knowing and obeying the law is a good place
to start. The following is an excerpt from the Digest of
Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws as they apply to cyclists, published
by the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
THE TRAFFIC LAWS
- Bicyclists must ride
with, not against, other vehicular traffic. Only when
walking a bicycle is a cyclist permitted to travel facing
traffic.
- Bicyclists are required
to obey all traffic signs, signals and pavement
markings.
- Bicyclists must use
appropriate hand signals before turning or
stopping.
- Bicyclists must keep to
the right edge of the roadway, allowing faster traffic to
safely pass. Cyclists can travel in the middle of the
lane if they are proceeding at the same speed as the rest
of the traffic, or the lane is too narrow to share safely
with a motor vehicle.
- Bicyclists should not
pass other traffic on a hill or at an
intersection.
- Bicyclists must stop at
the curb to allow emergency vehicles to pass.
- Bicyclists must observe
speed restrictions in school zones and speed limits in
general.
- State law also permits
local governments to regulate bicycle operation, such as
requiring bicycle licensing and registration. Bicyclists
must familiarize themselves with local ordinances to be
properly educated about all of the laws affecting
them.
THE BICYCLE LAWS
- Bicyclists must never
ride on the freeway, or attach themselves to other
vehicles using the roadway.
- Bicyclists should ride
only on the permanent attached seat of the bicycle.
Passengers should not be carried unless the bike is
equipped for it, and at least one hand should be kept on
the handlebars at all times.
- Bicyclists should not
ride more than two abreast in a single lane, except on
paths set aside for the exclusive use of
bicycles.
- Every bicycle ridden
after dark must be equipped with a white headlight, a red
taillight and a red, rear reflector.
- No bicycle shall be
operated unless equipped with a bell or horn audible at
least 100 feet away.
- Every bicycle must have
an adequate brake.
SHARING THE ROAD WITH
BICYCLISTS
A Motorist must:
- Share the road with
bicycles. The bicyclist has the same right to use the
public road as any other driver, except
freeways.
- Maintain a "safety zone"
of approximately three feet between the car and the
bicyclist.
- Pass a cyclist only when
it can be done safely.
- Leave ample room when
turning right after passing a bicyclist so the bicyclist
is not cut off when the motorist slows for the turn.
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