Changes governing Ohio bicyclists taking effect Sept. 21 include:

Preventing local governments from requiring cyclists to ride on sidewalks or from banning bicycles from certain streets, other than freeways.

Allowing bicyclists to ride on the left side of a lane to make a left turn, to stay out of a right-turn-only lane or to avoid potholes, road debris or stopped vehicles.

No longer requiring wheel and front reflectors.

No longer requiring cyclists to give a continuous turn signal.

Giving courts sentencing discretion, including remedial bicycle training.

Allowing cars to pass bicycles in no-passing zones under certain conditions.

More information at: www.ohiobike.org

SOURCE: The Ohio Bicycle Federation

Very good. Thanks, Chip!

Am I right in assuming that "continuous turn signal" is signaling your turn while your making your turn (or something close)? Those seem like great (and pretty logical) changes.

Allowing cars to pass bicycles in no-passing zones under certain conditions.

I could see this one leading to problems. If you allow cars to pass bikes in no-passing zones then soon cars will pass cars in no-passing zones. Once given the ability to pass in certain no-passing zones the worst drivers amongst will do it every where. Probably many more dangerous situations will be created.

I could see this one leading to problems. If you allow cars to pass bikes in no-passing zones then soon cars will pass cars in no-passing zones. Once given the ability to pass in certain no-passing zones the worst drivers amongst will do it every where. Probably many more dangerous situations will be created.
Maybe true, but overall this sounds like good things for cyclists.:)

I could see this one leading to problems. If you allow cars to pass bikes in no-passing zones then soon cars will pass cars in no-passing zones. Once given the ability to pass in certain no-passing zones the worst drivers amongst will do it every where. Probably many more dangerous situations will be created.

This is Ohio - they already pass cyclists and other cars in no passing zones. :eek:

The allowing cars to pass bicycles in no-passing is a good change. Under current local law (and the model codes) it is illegal to pass in a no-passing zone, no exceptions. Doesn't matter if the lane is wide enough to share, or if the pass can be done safely without leaving the lane. As a cyclist, I want people to pass me when it is safe to do so.

Congratulations to those of you in Ohio! Sounds like very sensible changes.

Wow, so you can pass stopped cars? Isn't that advocating lane splitting? I've gone around cars in a jam twice, but most of the time when the road is backed up, I just take a place in line.

Wow, so you can pass stopped cars? Isn't that advocating lane splitting? I've gone around cars in a jam twice, but most of the time when the road is backed up, I just take a place in line.

Huh?

I could see this one leading to problems. If you allow cars to pass bikes in no-passing zones then soon cars will pass cars in no-passing zones. Once given the ability to pass in certain no-passing zones the worst drivers amongst will do it every where. Probably many more dangerous situations will be created.

I don't think so. It's extremely rare for a car to NOT pass me in a no-passing zone (I ride through several that are quite long, up to 1/2 mile). It's in fact so rare that they even slow down that when they do they worry me and I start wondering what they're up to, or if they're about to right-hook me or something.

Yet I don't see any but the expected occasional nut passing other cars on the double-yellow.

Huh?

Do I need to remind you what day of the week it is? Have you been taking your medication?

Look the law says you can pass a stopped car. Does that mean that you can go around a whole line of cars in an evening rush?

Do I need to remind you what day of the week it is? Have you been taking your medication?

Look the law says you can pass a stopped car. Does that mean that you can go around a whole line of cars in an evening rush?

I believe, by reading the PDF on the website, that "stopped" means "stopped by the side of the road." Lane splitting is something different altogether. Before, apparently, the law did not make allowances to leave the right side of the lane for debris or parked/disabled/stopped cars.

Why the insults? You could have easily found this out by reading material from the supplied link. Are you just lazy? Or can you not read?

Okay, [/sarcasm].

I believe, by reading the PDF on the website, that "stopped" means "stopped by the side of the road." Lane splitting is something different altogether. Before, apparently, the law did not make allowances to leave the right side of the lane for debris or parked/disabled/stopped cars.

Why the insults? You could have easily found this out by reading material from the supplied link. Are you just lazy? Or can you not read?

Okay, [/sarcasm].

Ain't that cute, I think he's trying to be me. :eek: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

Allowing cars to pass bicycles in no-passing zones under certain conditions.

It doesn't apply only to passing bicycles. It applies to passing other vehicles including bicycles and to do it lawfully you must meet all of the three criteria below:

(1) The slower vehicle is proceeding at less than half the speed of the speed limit applicable to that location.

(2) The faster vehicle is capable of overtaking and passing the slower vehicle without exceeding the speed limit.

(3) There is sufficient clear sight distance to the left of the center or center line of the roadway to meet the overtaking and passing provisions of section 4511.29 of the Revised Code, considering the speed of the slower vehicle.

This should have included allowing bicycles to pass on the right.

This should have included allowing bicycles to pass on the right.

Para 4511.28 addresses passing on the right.

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/bike/New%20Downloads/Bike%20Laws.PDF

Ain't that cute, I think he's trying to be me. :eek: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
Ain't gonna happen. When they made you chip, they threw away the mold!


Tho' it is growing back in some places. ;)

The allowing cars to pass bicycles in no-passing is a good change. Under current local law (and the model codes) it is illegal to pass in a no-passing zone, no exceptions. Doesn't matter if the lane is wide enough to share, or if the pass can be done safely without leaving the lane. As a cyclist, I want people to pass me when it is safe to do so.
I agree. It takes a lot less time (and space) for a 65 mph car to pass a 15 mph cyclist than a 60 mph car. Cars can frequently safely pass cyclists in many no-passing zones.

I'm not sure that the list of reasons to leave the right side of the road is good or bad. It all depends on how it is applied in practice. Previously, the law said, "as far right as practicable." Having a list could lead cops and courts to limit the reasons to leave the right edge to the reasons in the statute, or they might see the reasons like they are intended to be--just examples.