It’s spring approaching summer and with the warmer weather many people want to go out for a nice ride on their bicycle. Although there are many young kids riding bikes on the sidewalk, adults like to ride their bikes on the roadway in traffic. Some for fun and some must ride to get to work. As drivers and bicyclists, we must all be aware of the right away bicycles and pedestrians have on our roadways. As a driver it is important to be on the lookout always for potential hazards and risks. As a driver when we see a bike on the roadway our first thought might be that they should be on the sidewalk, but with the Ohio trafficking laws there is a law called The Row.
What’s the Row?
The right of way and if you ride in the direction of traffic, you obey all the traffic laws applicable to vehicles, you stop at red lights, stop signs, you don’t speed, you yield to pedestrians on the sidewalks and you ride to the right of the road, unless it’s dangerous or unsafe, there’s a pothole, debris, an object or if the lane is so narrow that a car cannot safely pass you and that’s when a cyclist can take the whole lane, which sometimes infuriates drivers, but they have every right to do that.
Bike Safety Tips:
- Go with the flow of traffic and always ride on ride side same as traffic. …
- Obey All Traffic Laws. You are the drive and a bike is a vehicle. …
- Yield When necessary. …
- Be Predictable. …
- Be Alert and ready to react always. …
- Look Before Turning anywhere. …
- Watch for Parked Cars, people, objects.
As a bicyclist it is important for us to also be aware of this and not take advantage of the roadway and disobey the law. If you are going to ride on the road you must abide by the same rules just like everybody else. You must also be cautious at all times to prevent potential risks that may result in injury or even death. As you ride into summer I ask to please remember to always wear a helmet and be safe.
If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a bicycle or automobile accident due to another driver’s negligence, contact my office immediately. As your Ohio car accident, personal injury, and medical malpractice attorney I’ll be there for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Author: Tim Misny | For over four decades, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus, Dayton and neighboring communities. You can reach Tim by email at misnylaw.com/ask-tim-a-question/ or call at 877.944.4373.
