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

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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-Comm_Sub.html

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As Reported by the House Transportation, Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee

129th General Assembly Regular Session 2011-2012

Am. H. B. No. 316

Representatives Rosenberger, Landis 

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

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A BILL

To amend section 4511.53 of the Revised Code to

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prohibit motorcycle handlebars from being higher

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than the shoulders of the operator when the

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operator is seated in the operator's seat or

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saddle.

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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 barsor grips aremore than fifteen incheshandlebars	33
risehigher than the shoulders of the operator when the operator	34
is seated in the operator's seat or saddle forthe operator.	35

No person shall operate or be a passenger on a snowmobile or	36
motorcycle without using safety glasses or other protective eye	37
device. No person who is under the age of eighteen years, or who	38
holds a motorcycle operator's endorsement or license bearing a	39
"novice" designation that is currently in effect as provided in	40
section 4507.13 of the Revised Code, shall operate a motorcycle on	41
a highway, or be a passenger on a motorcycle, unless wearing a	42
protective helmet on the person's head, and no other person shall	43
be a passenger on a motorcycle operated by such a person unless	44
similarly wearing a protective helmet. The helmet, safety glasses,	45
or other protective eye device shall conform with rules adopted by	46
the director of public safety. The provisions of this paragraph or	47
a violation thereof shall not be used in the trial of any civil	48
action.	49

(C)(1) No person shall operate a motorcycle with a valid	50
temporary instruction permit and temporary instruction permit	51
identification card issued by the registrar of motor vehicles	52
pursuant to section 4507.05 of the Revised Code unless the person,	53
at the time of such operation, is wearing on the person's head a	54
protective helmet that conforms with rules adopted by the	55
director.	56

(2) No person shall operate a motorcycle with a valid	57
temporary instruction permit and temporary instruction permit	58
identification card issued by the registrar pursuant to section	59
4507.05 of the Revised Code in any of the following circumstances:	60

(a) At any time when lighted lights are required by division	61
(A)(1) of section 4513.03 of the Revised Code;	62

(b) While carrying a passenger;

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(c) On any limited access highway.

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(D) Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting	65
the carrying of a child in a seat or trailer that is designed for	66
carrying children and is firmly attached to the bicycle.	67

(E) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever	68
violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within	69
one year of the offense, the offender previously has been	70
convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or	71
traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a	72
misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the	73
offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more	74
predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this	75
section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.	76

Section 2. That existing section 4511.53 of the Revised Code	77
is hereby repealed.	78