ADVOCACY

Better Ohio Bicycling Bill (HB 389) Signed into Law

In a whirlwind of activity just before the summer recess, the Ohio Senate Highways and Transportation Committee and the full Senate passed the Ohio Bicycle Federation’s House Bill 389 Better Ohio Bicycling Bill on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 23 and 24.  Several of us gave testimony before the Senate Transportation Committee on May 16 and 23 before the 9-0 vote after 6 p.m. on May 23.   The Senate vote came at 7:04 p.m. the next day, as the Senators were keeping long hours to address as many bills as possible before the recess, which could last until the November elections. 

On Saturday, June 17, Governor Bob Taft signed HB 389 into law before a crowd of GOBA riders during the 2006 GOBA opening ceremonies at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia.  The new law will go into effect on September 15.

HB 389 was sponsored by Rep. Arlene Setzer of Vandalia, and approved by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Ohio Highway Patrol.  Our Dayton Cycling Club Board voted unanimously on April 12 to endorse the bill. 

HB 389 makes the Ohio Revised Code regarding cycling align more closely with the Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC).   We have worked to make the UVC more bicyclist friendly over the last few years.   HB 389 will make the Ohio Revised Code a good framework for cycling throughout our state.

HB 389 substitutes "far enough to the right to allow passing by faster vehicles" for "as close as practicable to the right-hand curb" in the "slow-moving vehicle" section of the Ohio Revised Code.

Additional changes to the Ohio Revised Code include:

• Front and rear wheel reflectors no longer required if a red rear light is used.
• Headlight must emit light visible 300' to sides. (Most headlights already meet this requirement).
• Generator-powered lights authorized.
• Red reflector on back no longer required to be "of a type approved by the Director of Public Safety" and combined reflector and light are acceptable.
• Rear light may be either flashing or steady.
• Additional lights or reflectors authorized.
• A bell or horn no longer required.

Share the Road License Plate Available

The plates may be ordered by going to Ohio's OPLATES.com, clicking "special plates", and scrolling to and clicking on "Share the Road."  1000 plates must be sold each year to keep this plate available.

For additional information click on Ohio Bicycling Federation

INTERESTS