The Bike to Work Challenge is the opportunity each year for Central Ohioans to reflect on our personal transportation choices, to launch the spring season by saying “Yes!” to a lifestyle of active commuting. If you already enjoy this lifestyle, great! You can support others at your workplace who want to make a positive change in their lives. If you are someone who has chosen to make 2010 the year you begin biking to work, know that there is an entire community of people who are there to help you do just that. Whether you need education, a ride buddy, general information or the knowledge that you’re part of something bigger than yourself, you will find what you need within the Challenge to become a bicycle commuter. Do avail yourself of these resources! Our goal this year is to have 1,500 cyclists riding 60,000 miles on 11,000 commutes; you have a big part to play in making this happen. Thanks for your contribution to our success, and have a great Challenge! Let the games begin!!

Tires
Are tires free from fraying, splits or worn spots? Are tires pumped and is bead seated evenly around rim?
Wheels
Are spokes tight and unbroken? Are wheels true and do they spin freely? Are wheel quick releases firmly clamped?
Brakes
Do the brakes stop you well, even on steep descents? Are brakepads worn? Are brakepads contacting rim squarely and not rubbing tire? Are brake quick releases firmly clamped? Are brakes and derailleur cables and housings free from kinks or fraying? Are brake cables adjusted properly? Should be able to fit finger between brake lever and handlebar when squeezed.
Stem and Handlebar
Are stem and handlebar tight in steering tube? Is headset tight but not binding? Does fork move when bike is rocked with front brakes applied?
Crank
Are your pedals and crankarms secure, and free from play?
Derailleurs
Do front and rear derailleurs shift easily when the bike is in motion? Are derailleur stays properly adjusted (so chain doesn’t fall off)? Is the chain well lubricated?
Frame
Is the frame intact, not cracked or bent?
Seat
Is the seat and seatpost secure, and without movement? Is seatpost inserted below maximum extension line?
Accessories
Are accessories (e.g. racks, fenders) secured tightly? Are reflectors or lights in place?
Helmet, clothing
Is your helmet adjusted properly? Do you have appropriate clothing for the weather? Are all straps and shoelaces secured (not dangling loose)?
Essential tools
Pump, patch kit, tire levers, spare tube and water bottle.
Recommended tools
Necessary wrenches (allen and hex), adjustable wrench, spoke wrench, screwdriver, chain tool, spare cables, tire boot, spare tire.

There is extensive information on Dublin’s impressive network of bike paths and, well, lots of information for both new riders and seasoned commuters alike. Check it out.

http://www.dublin.oh.us/recreation/bikepath/

More info at http://biketoworkweek.org/

Consejos y pasos para el uso debido del casco para montar bicicleta (Easy steps to properly fit a bicycle helmet) PDF from National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA)

¿Dónde pedalear tu bicicleta? (Where to ride your bike?) URL from Bob Bayn

Transportandose en bicicleta (Getting there by bike) Video from UC Santa Cruz

Getting There by Bike

Bicycles are defined as vehicles in Ohio law and therefore cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of cars.

Bicyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles.

	Wear a Helmet Correctly Helmets are not required by law in Ohio, but everyone should wear a helmet and glasses to prevent head and eye injury. Your helmet should be level and snug.
	Traffic signals are for bicyclists too Ride with traffic. Obey all traffic signs and signals. Stop behind the stop line, so pedestrians can cross safely in the crosswalk.
	Avoid the right hook Avoid passing any moving or stopped vehicles on the right. Merge into line of cars waiting for stop sign or stop light. Watch for right turning vehicles when traveling straight through an intersection.
	Don’t be invisible! Ohio law requires a white headlight and red tail light visible from at least 500 ft when riding at night or low visibility weather. Side reflectors, pedal reflectors and bright, reflective clothing will also enhance safety.
	Look and signal before turning Always look behind you to see if it is clear before turning or changing lanes.
	Left turns Turn left as a vehicle by merging into the left turn lane or left side of single lane. Or, in heavy traffic, stay right and cross to opposite corner, turn bike left and cross again.
	Watch for Potential Hazards Ride at least 4 feet away from parked cars, even if there is a bike lane, or traffic trying to pass you. Watch for potholes, debris and storm grates.
	Yield to pedestrians Stop for all pedestrians in crosswalks. Do not pass other vehicles stopped at crosswalks—there might be a pedestrian you can’t see coming from the other side.
	Don’t swerve Ride in a straight, predictable line. Car drivers may not be able to avoid hitting you if you suddenly move into their path.
	Control the lane when necessary If a lane is too narrow for sharing with a car, move into the center of the lane. Motorists may act impatient, but they aren’t likely to pass unsafely.
	Ride single file in Traffic Cyclists may ride two abreast, but should ride single file when the lane is wide enough to allow traffic to safely pass. Notify other cyclists of overtaking cars by announcing “Car back”.
	Pass busses on left Busses pull to the right to drop off passengers, so always pass on the left, or wait behind the bus until it starts moving again.
	Sidewalks are for walking In many cities and villages, bike riding on sidewalks is prohibited in business districts, but residential sidewalks are OK to ride on at a slow pace. Columbus prohibits bicycles on all sidewalks, except for children on non-motorized vehicles.
	Pass pedestrians with care When on a path or sidewalk, pass other users with care, and announce your presence with a bell or a friendly “Passing on your left”.

Sources: Bicycle Coalition of Maine (www.bikemaine.org)
Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (www.massbike.org)

PDF Version: BicycleRulesOhio

Share the Road – Buses and Bicycles
Share the Road – Buses and Bicycles (Close Captioned)

If a conflict with a COTA driver does occur, you can report it online to their customer support website.

COTA Customer Support

Unfortunately, cyclists are prohibited from using the bus-only/taxi-only lanes on High Street during posted hours. You’ll need to ride in the left lane at those times. Always pass a bus on the left, or wait behind a stopped bus until it begins to move again.

 CODE APPLICATION TO BICYCLES

The provisions of this Traffic Code that are applicable to bicycles apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any street or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

 RECKLESS OPERATION; CONTROL, COURSE AND SPEED

No person shall operate a bicycle:

 (1) Without due regard for the safety and rights of pedestrians and drivers and occupants of all other vehicles, and so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person while in the lawful use of the streets or sidewalks or any other public or private property;

 (2) Without exercising reasonable and ordinary control over such bicycle;

 (3) In a weaving or zigzag course unless such irregular course is necessary for safe operation in compliance with law;

 (4) Without both hands upon the handlebars except when necessary to give the required hand and arm signals;

 (5) At a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing.

PARKING OF BICYCLE

No person shall park a bicycle upon a sidewalk in such a manner so as to unduly interfere with pedestrian traffic or upon a roadway so as to unduly interfere with vehicular traffic.

RIDING ON SIDEWALKS

No person shall operate a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district or upon a sidewalk where signs are erected prohibiting such operation, nor shall any person operate a bicycle propelled other than by human power upon any sidewalk within the City.

Cyclists are permitted to ride on sidewalks in residential neighborhoods in most cities and villages. But check the city ordinance, because the sidewalk laws vary. Columbus prohibits bicycles on all sidewalks, except for children on non-motorized vehicles.

 MINIMUM AGE FOR OPERATION ON STREETS

Some cities and villages prohibit children from riding on streets. Gahanna prohibits children under age 6 from riding on 25 mph streets and under age 8 from riding on 35 mph streets. Pickerington prohibits children under age 11 from riding on any streets. Reynoldsburg prohibits children under age 8 from riding on any streets.

 PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

No parent, guardian or person having the care and control of a minor child shall knowingly permit the minor child to ride a bicycle upon the streets of the City in violation of the previous code.

 HELMET LAWS

There is no bicycle helmet law for Ohio. There is a law in Columbus that children aged 17 and younger must wear a helmet when riding bicycles, skates, rollerblades, skateboards, scooters or other childrens’  non-motorized vehicles. Experienced cyclists know that bike helmets and glasses should be worn by all adults and children on every ride to avoid head and eye injury.

 IMPOUNDING

Whenever any bicycle is operated by any person, including a minor under the age of eighteen years, in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, the bicycle may be seized by any member of the Police Department and impounded for a period of time not to exceed thirty days.

 BICYCLE LICENSE REQUIRED

Many cities and villages require bicycle registration and licensing, but these laws are usually not enforced and sometimes licenses are hard to find.

 PATHS EXCLUSIVELY FOR BICYCLES

No person shall operate a motor vehicle, snowmobile, or all-purpose vehicle upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

CITY ORDINANCES WHICH ARE INCONSISTENT WITH OHIO LAW

There are some cities in Franklin county which have local ordinances which are inconsistent or conflict with Ohio law. We are working to repeal those laws but here they are:

Mandatory sidewalk codes: Pickerington
Mandatory sidepath codes: Bexley and Pickerington
Bicyclist must ride within 3′ of right edge of road: Dublin
Bicyclist must walk bike across intersection with through street: Bexley, Pickerington
Missing right arm turn signal: Hilliard
Bicyclist about to start must yield to moving vehicles and give visible warning signal before starting (?): Hilliard

Progress was made over the last two years in Newark, Marble Cliff and Upper Arlington, where “far right as practical”  codes were amended and other codes were updated to be consistent with Ohio code. Upper Arlington also repealed their mandatory sidepath ordinance. Yay!