Ohio Rev. Code » Chapter 4511
Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.53 (2026)

Operation of bicycles, motorcycles and snowmobiles

✓ laws through the 2026 session (checked Sept. 2026)
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Effective:
March 8, 2019
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 250 - 132nd General Assembly
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(A) For purposes of this section, "snowmobile" has the same meaning as given that term in section 4519.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) No person operating a bicycle or electric bicycle shall ride other than upon or astride the permanent and regular seat attached thereto or carry any other person upon such bicycle or electric bicycle other than upon a firmly attached and regular seat thereon, and no person shall ride upon a bicycle or electric bicycle other than upon such a firmly attached and regular seat.

No person operating a motorcycle shall ride other than upon or astride the permanent and regular seat or saddle attached thereto, or carry any other person upon such motorcycle other than upon a firmly attached and regular seat or saddle thereon, and no person shall ride upon a motorcycle other than upon such a firmly attached and regular seat or saddle.

No person shall ride upon a motorcycle that is equipped with a saddle other than while sitting astride the saddle, facing forward, with one leg on each side of the motorcycle.

No person shall ride upon a motorcycle that is equipped with a seat other than while sitting upon the seat.

No person operating a bicycle or electric bicycle shall carry any package, bundle, or article that prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.

No bicycle, electric bicycle, or motorcycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped. No motorcycle shall be operated on a highway when the handlebars rise higher than the shoulders of the operator when the operator is seated in the operator's seat or saddle.

(C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, no person shall operate or be a passenger on a snowmobile or motorcycle without using safety glasses or other protective eye device. Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, no person who is under the age of eighteen years, or who holds a motorcycle operator's endorsement or license bearing a "novice" designation that is currently in effect as provided in section 4507.13 of the Revised Code, shall operate a motorcycle on a highway, or be a passenger on a motorcycle, unless wearing a United States department of transportation-approved protective helmet on the person's head, and no other person shall be a passenger on a motorcycle operated by such a person unless similarly wearing a protective helmet. The helmet, safety glasses, or other protective eye device shall conform with rules adopted by the director of public safety. The provisions of this paragraph or a violation thereof shall not be used in the trial of any civil action.

(2) Division (C)(1) of this section does not apply to a person operating an autocycle or cab-enclosed motorcycle when the occupant compartment top is in place enclosing the occupants.

(3)(a) No person shall operate a motorcycle with a valid temporary instruction permit and temporary instruction permit identification card issued by the registrar of motor vehicles pursuant to section 4507.05 of the Revised Code unless the person, at the time of such operation, is wearing on the person's head a protective helmet that has been approved by the United States department of transportation that conforms with rules adopted by the director.

(b) No person shall operate a motorcycle with a valid temporary instruction permit and temporary instruction permit identification card issued by the registrar pursuant to section 4507.05 of the Revised Code in any of the following circumstances:

(i) At any time when lighted lights are required by division (A)(1) of section 4513.03 of the Revised Code;

(ii) While carrying a passenger;

(iii) On any limited access highway or heavily congested roadway.

(D) Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the carrying of a child in a seat or trailer that is designed for carrying children and is firmly attached to the bicycle or electric bicycle.

(E) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (B) or (C)(1) or (3) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates division (B) or (C)(1) or (3) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates division (B) or (C)(1) or (3) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 15 cases, 1956–2018 · leading case: State v. Orr, 745 N.E.2d 1036 (Ohio 2001).
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State v. Orr, 745 N.E.2d 1036 (Ohio 2001). “21, and operating a motorcycle without a helmet — required for novice riders — in violation of R.C. 4511.53. *391 Both of the appellants pleaded not guilty.”
State v. Brown, 2010-Ohio-4546. “The court reasoned that the only discernible risk to the public welfare was that a motorcyclist could be struck on the bare head by an object, lose control of his motorcycle, and become a hazard to other users of the highway, 21 Ohio Misc.”
State v. Jones, 88 Ohio St. 3d 430 (2000). “50[A]), riding a bicycle with a seat that is not firmly attached or with handle bars that are more than fifteen inches higher than the seat (R.C. 4511.53), and riding a bicycle that is not equipped with a bell or other sounding device giving a signal audible for a distance of at…”
State v. Orr, 91 Ohio St. 3d 389 (2001). “21, and operating a motorcycle without a helmet— required for novice riders—in violation of R.C. 4511.53. {¶ 5} Both of the appellants pleaded not guilty.”
Woods v. City of Columbus, 492 N.E.2d 466 (Ohio Ct. App. 10th Dist. 1985). “2d 342 ], held as constitutionally valid the requirement of R.C. 4511.53 that motorcycle operators and passengers wear protective helmets.”
State v. Batsch, 541 N.E.2d 475 (Ohio Ct. App. 11th Dist. 1988). “Appellant argues the same reasoning should apply to R.C. 4513.”
Crider v. Columbus Plastic Prods., Inc., 190 N.E.2d 63 (Ohio Ct. App. 1956). · cites it 6× “Defendant asserts that decedent violated Section 4511.53, Revised Code, prohibiting a person operating a- bicycle from riding otherwise than upon its regular seat; that he did not keep a lookout for approaching traffic; that he did not attempt to apply his brakes or to swerve…”
State v. Stouffer, 276 N.E.2d 651 (Ohio Ct. App. 10th Dist. 1971). · cites it 4× “The first is the following: “The Municipal Court erred to the prejudice of defendant-appellant in convicting defendant-appellant of a violation of Section 4511.53 Revised Code where the rules of the Director of Highway Safety adopted pursuant to that statute are shown to be…”
State v. Craig, 249 N.E.2d 75 (Ohio Ct. App. 1969). · cites it 4× “The defendant in this case was found guilty in the Fostoria Municipal Court of riding a motorcycle without a protective helmet in violation of Section 4511.53, Revised Code, and has appealed on the ground that such statute deprives him of his constitutional rights guaranteed by…”
City of Toledo v. Wacenske, 642 N.E.2d 407 (Ohio Ct. App. 6th Dist. 1994). “02(d) is not inconsistent with R.C. 4511.53 or R.C. 4513.03. Accordingly, to the extent that they assert that the Toledo ordinance is unconstitutional under Ohio law because it is not “uniform,” all of appellant’s assignments of error are found not well taken.”
State v. Jones, 88 Ohio St. 3d 430 (2000). “50[A]), riding a bicycle with a seat that is not firmly attached or with handle bars that are more than fifteen inches higher than the seat (R.C. 4511.53), and riding a bicycle that is not equipped with a bell or other sounding device giving a signal audible for a distance of at…”
State v. Young, 2016-Ohio-621. “202; and one count of failure to wear a helmet pursuant to R.C. 4511.53(B). Appellant entered pleas of not guilty.”
Show all 15 citing cases →
Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.53(B): 1 case
State v. Young, 2016-Ohio-621. “202; and one count of failure to wear a helmet pursuant to R.C. 4511.53(B). Appellant entered pleas of not guilty.”
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