Bill Text: OH HB316 | 2011-2012 | 129th General Assembly | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: To prohibit motorcycle handlebars from being higher than the shoulders of the operator when the operator is seated in the operator's seat or saddle.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 8-2)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-05-10 - Committee Report - A [HB316 Detail]

Download: Ohio-2011-HB316-Introduced.html
As Introduced

129th General Assembly
Regular Session
2011-2012
H. B. No. 316


Representatives Rosenberger, Landis 

Cosponsors: Representatives Brenner, Bubp, Butler, Gerberry, Gonzales, Johnson, Letson 



A BILL
To amend section 4511.53 of the Revised Code to 1
permit motorcycle handlebars to be of any height 2
so long as the height does not adversely affect 3
the ability of the operator to operate the 4
motorcycle safely.5


BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

       Section 1. That section 4511.53 of the Revised Code be 6
amended to read as follows:7

       Sec. 4511.53.  (A) For purposes of this section, "snowmobile" 8
has the same meaning as given that term in section 4519.01 of the 9
Revised Code.10

       (B) No person operating a bicycle shall ride other than upon 11
or astride the permanent and regular seat attached thereto or 12
carry any other person upon such bicycle other than upon a firmly 13
attached and regular seat thereon, and no person shall ride upon a 14
bicycle other than upon such a firmly attached and regular seat.15

       No person operating a motorcycle shall ride other than upon 16
or astride the permanent and regular seat or saddle attached 17
thereto, or carry any other person upon such motorcycle other than 18
upon a firmly attached and regular seat or saddle thereon, and no 19
person shall ride upon a motorcycle other than upon such a firmly 20
attached and regular seat or saddle.21

        No person shall ride upon a motorcycle that is equipped with 22
a saddle other than while sitting astride the saddle, facing 23
forward, with one leg on each side of the motorcycle.24

       No person shall ride upon a motorcycle that is equipped with 25
a seat other than while sitting upon the seat.26

       No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, 27
bundle, or article that prevents the driver from keeping at least 28
one hand upon the handle barshandlebars.29

       No bicycle or motorcycle shall be used to carry more persons 30
at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped, 31
nor shall any. No motorcycle shall be operated on a highway when 32
the handle barshandlebars or grips are more than fifteen inches 33
higher than the seat or saddle forat a height that adversely 34
affects the ability of the operator to operate the motorcycle 35
safely and the operator, when the motorcycle is not in motion and 36
while keeping both hands on the grips, is not able to turn the 37
front wheel or wheels at least forty-five degrees to both the left 38
and right directions.39

       No person shall operate or be a passenger on a snowmobile or 40
motorcycle without using safety glasses or other protective eye 41
device. No person who is under the age of eighteen years, or who 42
holds a motorcycle operator's endorsement or license bearing a 43
"novice" designation that is currently in effect as provided in 44
section 4507.13 of the Revised Code, shall operate a motorcycle on 45
a highway, or be a passenger on a motorcycle, unless wearing a 46
protective helmet on the person's head, and no other person shall 47
be a passenger on a motorcycle operated by such a person unless 48
similarly wearing a protective helmet. The helmet, safety glasses, 49
or other protective eye device shall conform with rules adopted by 50
the director of public safety. The provisions of this paragraph or 51
a violation thereof shall not be used in the trial of any civil 52
action.53

       (C)(1) No person shall operate a motorcycle with a valid 54
temporary instruction permit and temporary instruction permit 55
identification card issued by the registrar of motor vehicles 56
pursuant to section 4507.05 of the Revised Code unless the person, 57
at the time of such operation, is wearing on the person's head a 58
protective helmet that conforms with rules adopted by the 59
director.60

       (2) No person shall operate a motorcycle with a valid 61
temporary instruction permit and temporary instruction permit 62
identification card issued by the registrar pursuant to section 63
4507.05 of the Revised Code in any of the following circumstances:64

       (a) At any time when lighted lights are required by division 65
(A)(1) of section 4513.03 of the Revised Code;66

       (b) While carrying a passenger;67

       (c) On any limited access highway.68

       (D) Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting 69
the carrying of a child in a seat or trailer that is designed for 70
carrying children and is firmly attached to the bicycle.71

       (E) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever 72
violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within 73
one year of the offense, the offender previously has been 74
convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or 75
traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a 76
misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the 77
offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more 78
predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this 79
section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.80

       Section 2. That existing section 4511.53 of the Revised Code 81
is hereby repealed.82

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