YOUR OHIO BICYCLE FEDERATION
SUPPORTS THESE BILLS IN OHIO'S 131ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Ohio Bicycle Federation supports the following legislative bills. Our latest testimony can be found in the committee notes for the dates listed.
HB 110 Brandon’s Law: Failure to stop after accident – increase penalty
1. Raises the penalty for failure to stop after an accident, when the offense results in death or an injury, from a felony of the third degree to a felony of the second degree.
This bill passed unanimously in the House Judiciary committee and the full House and is being reviewed by the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. OBF provided proponent testimony on September 30.
http://ohiosenate.gov/committee/criminal-justice#
HB 88: Electronics communications devices – restrict usage
1. Texting while driving raised from a secondary offense to a primary offense. Police officers may stop a vehicle if operator is observed texting while driving.
2. Prohibits cellphone use in school zones and construction zones.
HB 88 is being reviewed by the House Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee. Another bill HB 146 has passed the Senate Criminal Justice Committee and the Senate and is being reviewed by the House Judiciary Committee. OBF provided interested party testimony on Oct 13. We would like HB 146 to incorporate legislation from HB 88.
http://www.ohiohouse.gov/committee/judiciary
HB 107: Person or neighborhood association - request reduced speed limit/stop sign
1. Authorizes a resident of a street or neighborhood association to request the speed limit to be lowered or stop signs to be installed at an intersection.
2. Requires a petition signed by at least 51% of residents.
HB 107 is being reviewed by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. OBF provided proponent testimony on May 12.
http://www.ohiohouse.gov/committee/transportation-and-infrastructure
Quickly contact your legislators to ask them to support these bills by going to
http://bikeleague.org/TakeAction?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f40768%2fRespond
Links to Bicycle Clubs in Ohio
Clubs with Websites
Clubs without known Websites
| Club Name | Address | City | Zip |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Electric Bike Club | 1 Riverside Plz | Columbus | 43215-2355 |
| Ashtabula YMCA Bicycling Club | P.O. Box 28 | Ashtabula | 44005-0028 |
| Battelle Bicycle Club | 505 King Ave | Columbus | 43201-2693 |
| Casual Cruisers | 3159 Montana Ave | Cincinnati | 45211-6734 |
| Cincinnati Velo Club | 241 W Mcmillan St | Cincinnati | 45219-1238 |
| Clark County Freewheelers | 1774 S Center Blvd | Springfield | 45506-3154 |
| Cleveland Area Mountain Bike Assn. | P.O. Box 771471 | Cleveland | 44107 |
| Crawford County Cyclists | 840 Sunset Dr | Bucyrus | 44820-3155 |
| Fairfield Schwinn Cycloids | 4860 Dixie Hwy | Fairfield | 45014-1911 |
| Folks On Spokes | 1334 Concord St Nw | Massillon | 44646-2246 |
| Franklin Bicycle Club | 1050 Bernard Rd | Columbus | 43221-1610 |
| French City Cyclists | 419 4th Ave | Gallipolis | 45631-1110 |
| Grand Lake Y Bicyclists | 5511 Johnson Rd | Celina | 45822-9003 |
| Greater Clintonville Cycling Club | 3517 Kinsale Head Dr | Columbus | 43221-4461 |
| Hocking Hills Bicycle Club | 11834 State Route 93 N | Logan | 43138-9313 |
| KSU Bicycle Club | 191 Mason | Kent | 44242-0001 |
| Lima Council HI-AYH | P.O. Box 173 | Lima | 45802-0173 |
| Little Mountain Velo | 355 S State St | Painesville | 44077-3531 |
| Mad River Wheelmen | 283 State Route 292 | Zanesfield | 43360-9783 |
| Mahoning Valley Cycling Club | 263 E Pine Lake Rd | North Lima | 44452-9748 |
| Major Taylor Bike Club | 1921 Holburn Ave | Columbus | 43207-1683 |
| Mantua Bike Club | 10939 Peck Rd | Mantua | 44255-9211 |
| Mount 'N Bike Off Road Club | 88233 Mickey Rd | Hopedale | 43976-9735 |
| Mountain Mudders | 38960 Staneart Rd | Albany | 45710 |
| Nationwide Bike Club | 1 W Nationwide Blvd | Columbus | 43215-2220 |
| Neobike | 234 E King St | Chardon | 44024-1315 |
| Northeast Ohio Cycling Club Of Ashtabula | 1013 Mill St | Conneaut | 44030-1521 |
| Northwest Cycling Club | 1375 Inglis Ave | Columbus | 43212-3557 |
| Norwalk Bike Club | 44 E Main St | Norwalk | 44857-1515 |
| Oakley Cycle Club | 3010 Madison Rd | Cincinnati | 45209-1710 |
| Ohio Randonneurs | 81 Country Rd | Urbana | 43078-9700 |
| Ohio University Mtn Bike Club | Campus Rec Center | Athens | 45701 |
| Ohio Volkssport Association | 721 S Detroit St | Xenia | 45385-5507 |
| Oxford Cycling Club | P.O. Box 774 | Oxford | 45056-0774 |
| Society Velo | 355 S State St | Painesville | 44077-3531 |
| Spectrum Cycling Club | 416 N Water St | Loudonville | 44842-1233 |
| Spectrum Performance Club | 1060 Reed St | Mansfield | 44906-1961 |
| Spokes Bicycle Club | 3944 Farmbrook Ln | Columbus | 43204-1552 |
| Square Wheels | 3001 E Overlook Rd | Cleveland | 44118-2437 |
| St Charles Cycle Club | 2010 E Broad St | Columbus | 43209-1665 |
| Tailwinds Bicycle Club | 2323 W Bancroft St | Toledo | 43607-1306 |
| Team Pokadot | 5315 Carina Court E | Hilliard | 43026 |
| Tri-State Wheelers | 208 Beacon Dr | Weirton | 26062-4904 |
| Vermilion Bicycle Club | 14807 Mason Rd | Vermilion | 44089-9230 |
| Wandering Wheels Volkssports | 501 N Market St | Shreve | 44676-9767 |
| Wonders On Wheels | 2203 Maryland Dr | Xenia | 45385-4631 |
by Fred Oswald, LCI #947
We must give our children the best information available. This will make them safer and provide a lifelong source of healthy exercise. The general concept can be summarized in two simple sentences:
1. A bike is not a toy, it is a child's first vehicle.
2. Drive your bike.
Need for Cycling Education
- "Bike Safety" is usually taught by untrained "authority figures" (parents, teachers, police).
- This training lacks a planned program. They make it up as they go.
- Much of what is taught is wrong (see below). Some is dangerously wrong.
- Most people ride dangerously because they were mis-taught.
Why Concentrate on Children
- Children have fewer preconceptions about what they know.
- Children are accustomed to being taught.
- Many children depend on bikes for their own transportation.
- Opportunities include schools, after-school programs, youth groups and community recreation.
- In teaching the children, we can (and must) reach the parents.
- Cycling is a lifelong activity that helps combat a sedentary lifestyle and obesity that starts in childhood.
Opportunities for Educational Programs
See the reference section below for materials for training volunteers and parents' hand-outs.
- Bike Rodeos provide a "one shot" program.
- Rodeo is only a start -- must not be the only educational activity.
- This requires a few properly trained people to run program (try a cycling club).
- Best benefit of rodeo is opportunity to teach the parents. (Give them "Parent's Guide" below).
- Beware of rodeo that degenerates into a trick riding contest.
- BikeEd "Kids" Class.
- These are classes taught by a certified "League Cycling Instructor" (see below).
- Kids I is a presentation & optional 3-hour practice for kids & their parents.
- Kids II is a Road I class tailored for children.
- "Bike Club" after school
- This requires a properly trained advisor who enjoys cycling.
- Program combines skills practice with recreational rides.
- Activities must be fun as well as properly supervised.
- Parents must be taught enough so they understand the program.
- Scout programs
- Cub Scout parents should be shown A Kids Eye View video & given "Parent's Guide" (see below).
- Boy Scout cycling merit badge book is good source.
- Scouts can use "Bike Quiz" as activity. (Use Street Smarts for reference.)
- Training the teachers.
- Arrange a BikeEd adult course for leaders.
- Send a few leaders to a BikeEd instructor workshop.
- Provide good reading materials (see below) for leaders.
- Ask for help from your local cycling club.
Avoid Repeating BAD ADVICE!
"It's not what he doesn't know that troubles me. It's what he knows for sure that just ain't so."
--- Will Rogers
A major problem with traditional "bike safety" programs is that the people conducting the effort have little cycling experience and no training. They are not properly informed about the subject. Indeed, they are usually misinformed.. As a result, they repeat bad safety advice because it "sounds good." See below for several examples of typical bad advice with a brief explanation for why it is wrong.
Bad Advice |
Why the Advice Is Wrong |
| "The roads are too dangerous for bikes." | While safety can always be improved, a knowledgeable cyclist on the road is actually pretty safe. The alternatives (sidewalks, multi-purpose paths or separate bike lanes) are significantly more dangerous. The roads are safe because the "rules of the road" make traffic orderly and predictable. The only rule of the road for sidewalks and paths is that there are no rules. |
| "Always ride on the sidewalk" | Sidewalk cycling at moderate speed has about double the collision risk as the adjacent road. This risk goes up with speed. Drivers do not look for fast traffic on the sidewalk. Sidewalk cycling is moderately safe only at walking speed. |
| "You could be dead right." | You are more likely to be "dead-wrong". This is often part of a fear campaign. We don't teach swimming that way. When you have the right of way, use it. You are much better off riding predictably and acting like you know what you are doing. Of course, defensive driving is always wise -- plan an escape route, just in case. |
| "Stay out of the way of cars." | There are situations where it is safer to obviously be in the way. For example, if the travel lane is not wide enough to share with passing traffic, move LEFT so following drivers are not tempted to "squeeze by". At intersections and driveways, cyclists who try to stay out of the way by riding on sidewalks may "appear out of nowhere" and be hit. Experienced cyclists, who stay in the travel lane, are easily seen and avoided. |
| "Ride as far right as possible" | This is a misinterpretation of the law that actually says ride "as near to the right side as practicable" (practice+able). There are several situations where "hugging the curb" is not safe. These include where the right lane is not wide enough to share with a passing vehicle and if there are hazards at the edge of the road, or where other drivers can see you better if you move left. Always maintain a "safety zone" to your right. |
| "Ride as though other drivers can't see you." | It is usually much better to make sure other drivers CAN see you. This means, use lights at night, wear bright clothes in daytime and ride in or near the travel lane where other drivers are looking for traffic. |
| "Always signal before turning." | Signal when you can but not if you risk losing control of your bike. It is much more important to YIELD to any traffic that has the right of way. |
| "Always STOP at stop signs." | That's what the sign says. The problem is this ignores the most important function of a stop sign. It is much more important to YIELD to any traffic that has the right of way. Stopping complies with only part of the law. |
| "Drivers are crazy." | This is often part of a fear campaign. Actually, U.S. drivers are pretty good. Almost everyone obeys the most important rules of the road. This makes travel fairly safe and efficient. |
| Helmets provide "courage for your head." | This is an irresponsible advertising slogan that implies a helmet makes dangerous riding OK. It is much better to prevent a crash than just to survive one. A helmet is your last line of defense. Good to have one, but far from the most important aspect of safety on a bike. |
Resources & Materials (both adult - reference & kids or parents info.)
- Bicycling Street Smarts by John Allen (commercial edition, 46 page booklet). This is a good concise reference for proper cycling technique.
- Ohio Bicycling Street Smarts, issued by Ohio Dept. of Public Safety. Available at some city halls, license bureaus, etc. or call ODOT, 614-644-7095. Other states that have a similar "bicycle driver's manual" include Pennsylvania and Florida.
- Effective Cycling, by John Forester, published by MIT Press, 1993 a terrific reference (but difficult for beginners).
- Effective Cycling Video (for adult training) $25 from LAB, 202 822-1333 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
- A Kid's Eye View bicycle safety video for parents & kids, $10 from LAB, 202 822-1333 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
- "BikeEd" courses: Road-I/II, Kid's, etc. See bikeleague.org/programs/education/index.php for instructors & descriptions. Consult a local BikeEd instructor for your program.
- Bicycle Driving Seminar by the author.
- North Carolina Coalition for Bicycle Driving, an excellent summary of "vehicular cycling" technique.
- Effective Cycling Training. Describes proper training for cyclists. Courses for age 8 to adult.
- Bike Safety for Kids - A Parent's Guide
- Bicycle Rodeos by John Andersen. How to get the most out of a rodeo.
- Bike Quiz was developed for a Scout group. The questions are not easy! Street Smarts or similar source of information should be provided. 1/2 page, 2-side flyer plus 1/2 pg answer sheet, (pdf file).
For comments or questions, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The author is a certified "League Cycling Instructor, and a Professional Engineer in Ohio.
Rev. 1/27/08.
© Copyright 2004-2008 Fred Oswald. Material may be copied with attribution.
Motorist Education
We have Motorist Education for use at driving schools and for the general motoring public.
ODOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Office
The Ohio Department of Transportation's Bicycling Home Page contains maps and regional information. .
You may reach ODOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Planner Julie Walcoff with the below contact information:
Julie Walcoff
Bike/Pedestrian; SRTS Program Manager
1980 W. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43223
Phone: (614) 466-3049
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ohio Legislature Information
All sorts of information about the activities of the Ohio State General Assembly, legislation in progress, schedules, finding your legislator, and much more is available here.
Cyclist Friendly Communities
The Cyclist Friendly Communities Award includes a complete toolkit for improving conditions in your community and information on qualifying for this new award.
On-line Discussions
To discuss any Ohio bicycle issue with the leading bicycle advocates in the state, join the OhioBike e-mail discussion list. Send a This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the list on the Web.
OBF Publications
The Ohio Bicycle Communicator is published two times per year.
The most up-to-date and comprehensive list of Ohio rides is published in the annual Ohio Bicycle Events Calendar. This is published in March as a bicycle enthusiast’s resource. In addition, the Web version is updated throughout the year.
Ohio Bicycling Street Smarts
Your Ohio Bicycle Federation has worked on creating an "Ohio Bicycling Street Smarts" based upon the definitive pamphlet on riding a bicycle in traffic by John Allen, with the author's permission. John Allen's classic is offered here with his permission (click "Street Smarts" graphic).
