Bicycle Helmet Laws Ohio
Bicycle laws in ohio chapter 4511 of the ohio revised code contains the laws that govern operation of vehicles on ohio roads.
Bicycle helmet laws ohio. New york and virginia hold one of the lowest required age. The most studied laws are in new zealand and australia a study conducted by the university of new south wales in 2011 concluded that mandatory helmet laws led to a 29 reduction in cycling related head injuries. Most driving laws apply to cyclists as well as motorists. By ginger christ the plain dealer.
The only individuals who are required to wear a helmet while on a motorcycle include. The law firm de caro and kaplen has a page advocating bicycle helmet laws with a map nice graphics and stats referencing this page as the source for the bicycle laws. You are a passenger on a motorcycle who s operator is required to wear a. Ohio s lack of bicycle helmet laws.
It s important for all road users to know the rules of the road for safety purposes as well as to avoid citations. Bicyclists of any age are not required to. If you re older than 14 years you re free to ride without a helmet in these. Here is the comprehensive listing of bike helmet laws in the united states and more specifically the bike helmet law in ohio.
You are a novice rider this is for the duration of your first year after issuance you are under the age of 18. Colorado ohio and washington are among the states that don t have a statewide law concerning helmets. Ohio has no helmet law. A ohio law requires cyclists to follow the rules of the road when riding a bicycle on a roadway.
Class 1 and class 2 e bikes are permitted on bicycle only. Under ohio law most riders are not actually required to wear helmets. Posted mar 28 2017. The insurance institute for highway safety has a page on motorcycle helmet laws and a list of motorcycle helmet laws.
Surprisingly even though the efficacy of bicycle helmets is a well known standard the state of ohio is completely devoid of bicycle helmet laws. A 2002 study of the new zealand law found that the law had net positive effects on minors but that the costs outweighed the benefits for adults. Cyclists must ride with traffic obey basic traffic laws stop at stop signs and red lights. It is legal for all persons of any age to operate a bicycle without wearing a helmet unless otherwise provided by a municipal regulation.
Updated may 19 2019. Although bike helmets are absolutely essential their laws are quite dissonant among the us states. Breaking down ohio s bicycle laws.