2023 Ohio Revised Code › Title 45 | Motor Vehicles-Aeronautics-Watercraft › Chapter 4511 | Traffic Laws - Operation of Motor Vehicles › Section 4511.53 | Operation of Bicycles, Motorcycles and Snowmobiles.

Effective:
March 8, 2019
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 250 - 132nd General Assembly
(A) For purposes of this section, "snowmobile" has the same meaning as given that term in section 4519.01 of the Revised Code.
(B) No person operating a bicycle or electric bicycle shall ride other than upon or astride the permanent and regular seat attached thereto or carry any other person upon such bicycle or electric bicycle other than upon a firmly attached and regular seat thereon, and no person shall ride upon a bicycle or electric bicycle other than upon such a firmly attached and regular seat.
No person operating a motorcycle shall ride other than upon or astride the permanent and regular seat or saddle attached thereto, or carry any other person upon such motorcycle other than upon a firmly attached and regular seat or saddle thereon, and no person shall ride upon a motorcycle other than upon such a firmly attached and regular seat or saddle.
No person shall ride upon a motorcycle that is equipped with a saddle other than while sitting astride the saddle, facing forward, with one leg on each side of the motorcycle.
No person shall ride upon a motorcycle that is equipped with a seat other than while sitting upon the seat.
No person operating a bicycle or electric bicycle shall carry any package, bundle, or article that prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.
No bicycle, electric bicycle, or motorcycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped. No motorcycle shall be operated on a highway when the handlebars rise higher than the shoulders of the operator when the operator is seated in the operator's seat or saddle.
(C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, no person shall operate or be a passenger on a snowmobile or motorcycle without using safety glasses or other protective eye device. Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, no person who is under the age of eighteen years, or who holds a motorcycle operator's endorsement or license bearing a "novice" designation that is currently in effect as provided in section 4507.13 of the Revised Code, shall operate a motorcycle on a highway, or be a passenger on a motorcycle, unless wearing a United States department of transportation-approved protective helmet on the person's head, and no other person shall be a passenger on a motorcycle operated by such a person unless similarly wearing a protective helmet. The helmet, safety glasses, or other protective eye device shall conform with rules adopted by the director of public safety. The provisions of this paragraph or a violation thereof shall not be used in the trial of any civil action.
(2) Division (C)(1) of this section does not apply to a person operating an autocycle or cab-enclosed motorcycle when the occupant compartment top is in place enclosing the occupants.
(3)(a) No person shall operate a motorcycle with a valid temporary instruction permit and temporary instruction permit identification card issued by the registrar of motor vehicles pursuant to section 4507.05 of the Revised Code unless the person, at the time of such operation, is wearing on the person's head a protective helmet that has been approved by the United States department of transportation that conforms with rules adopted by the director.
(b) No person shall operate a motorcycle with a valid temporary instruction permit and temporary instruction permit identification card issued by the registrar pursuant to section 4507.05 of the Revised Code in any of the following circumstances:
(i) At any time when lighted lights are required by division (A)(1) of section 4513.03 of the Revised Code;
(ii) While carrying a passenger;
(iii) On any limited access highway or heavily congested roadway.
(D) Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the carrying of a child in a seat or trailer that is designed for carrying children and is firmly attached to the bicycle or electric bicycle.
(E) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (B) or (C)(1) or (3) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates division (B) or (C)(1) or (3) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates division (B) or (C)(1) or (3) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.