Three feet, minimum
Drivers must give you at least three feet of space when passing. It's not a courtesy, it's the law.
Ohio Revised Code
Know Your Rights on the Road
Ohio law protects cyclists in ways a lot of drivers, and a lot of riders, don't realize. Here's what's actually on the books, plus what to do if a driver hits you anyway.
Ride to the right, unless it's not safe
You're expected to ride near the right side of the road, but not when it's unsafe, impractical, or hazardous to do so. Potholes, debris, parked cars, or a lane too narrow to share all count.
Take the whole lane when you need it
If a lane is too narrow for a car to pass you safely inside it, you're allowed to take the full lane. Not just tolerated, legal.
Two abreast is legal
Ohio law lets you ride two abreast in a single lane. Solon's own ordinance says otherwise on some streets, which is exactly why we're pushing to get it repealed.
Dooring is a violation
A driver who opens a car door into a cyclist without checking first is breaking the law. If you park on the street, do a shoulder check before you open your door.
Bikes belong on the road
Bicycles are legal on essentially every public road in Ohio. The real exception is freeways and other limited-access highways, unless there's a separated, marked bike facility alongside.
A malfunctioning signal doesn't strand you
If a signal won't detect your bike and change, Ohio law has you covered: stop, yield to anything in or approaching the intersection, then proceed carefully once it's clear. You don't have to wait forever for a green that isn't coming.
No license points for riding, except DUI
A traffic violation on a bicycle doesn't add points to your driver's license. One exception: OVI/DUI still counts, on a bike or in a car.
Hope you never need this
If a driver hits you
Five things to do in order, right after a crash, while you're still at the scene.
P.H.O.N.E.
What to do after a crash
- Police: call it in and insist on an official report, even if the driver says it isn't necessary.
- Health: get checked out right away, even for injuries that seem minor at first. Adrenaline hides a lot.
- Observe: get the driver's name, insurance info, and license plate, plus contact info for any witnesses.
- Notify: talk to a bicycle-injury attorney before you give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster. The adjuster works for the insurance company, not for you.
- Evidence: photograph everything. Your injuries, the bike, your gear, the scene, the other vehicle.
Know something we don't
See a law we should add, or a mistake to fix?
This page only gets more useful with more eyes on it. Tell us what's missing.