City of Rocky River, Ohio

Bike Safety

Cycling is a fun, healthy, and eco-friendly way to get around. Whether you’re riding to school, work, or just enjoying our beautiful community, safety should always come first. Whether you ride a traditional bike, an e-bike or a scooter - Let’s work together to make our streets safe for everyone — a shared responsibility between cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists alike.

Bike Safety Tips

Know the Rules & Follow Them

Under Rocky River’s local ordinances:

  • Bicyclists are permitted to ride on sidewalks and across crosswalks, and when doing so, must follow the same rules as pedestrians.

  • Motorists must yield to pedestrians and bicyclists who are lawfully within a crosswalk. Motorists are not required to yield to pedestrians on the curb waiting to cross a street.

  • Pedestrians and bicyclists may not enter a crosswalk until it is safe to do so and traffic has time to stop.

Safety is a shared responsibility. Whether you’re on foot, on a bike, or behind the wheel—everyone has a role in preventing accidents.

For Drivers

  • Slow down and stay alert—especially near schools, parks, and residential intersections.

  • Expect the unexpected: bicyclists can appear suddenly from sidewalks or driveways.

  • Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists in crosswalks and when turning at intersections.

  • Avoid distractions: stay off your phone and keep your eyes on the road.

For Bicyclists & Pedestrians

  • Stop, look both ways, and make eye contact with drivers before crossing.

  • Use crosswalk signals and obey traffic lights when available.

  • Wear helmets--they’re proven to prevent serious head injuries.

  • Wear bright or reflective clothing and use lights or reflectors when riding at dusk or after dark.

  • Don’t assume drivers see you—wait until vehicles stop before stepping or riding into the street.

Laws & Ordinances

  • E-bikes are divided into three classes:

    • Class 1: Pedal-assist only, motor cuts off at 20 mph.

    • Class 2: Throttle-assist, motor cuts off at 20 mph.

    • Class 3: Pedal-assist, motor cuts off at 28 mph and must have a speedometer. Riders must be 16 years or older to operate Class 3 e-bikes.

    • Helmets are required for anyone under 18 operating or riding on a Class 3 e-bike.

    • E-bikes may be ridden on streets, paths, and bike lanes unless specifically prohibited by local ordinance.

    • When operated on a sidewalk or crosswalk, e-bike riders must travel at pedestrian speed and yield to pedestrians.

    • E-bikes operated after dark must have a white front light and red rear reflector or light (ORC §4511.56). text goes here

    • Scooters are limited to 20 mph maximum speed and may be operated on roads, bike lanes, and paths.

    • Riders must obey all traffic laws applicable to vehicles and bicycles.

    • No passengers are allowed unless the scooter is specifically designed for more than one rider.

    • Scooters must have lights or reflectors if operated at night.

    • Helmets are strongly encouraged for all riders, especially minors.

  • (a)   When traffic control signals are not in place, not in operation or are not clearly assigning the right of way, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield or if required by Section 313.09, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.

     (b)   No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.

    (c)   Subsection (a) hereof does not apply under the conditions stated in Section 371.03(b).

    (d)   Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.

    (e)   Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates 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 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 this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

    (ORC 4511.46)

  • (a)    Where a sidewalk is provided and its use is practicable, no pedestrian shall walk, jog or run along and upon an adjacent roadway.

    (b)    Where a sidewalk is not available, any pedestrian walking, jogging or running along and upon a highway shall walk, jog or run only on a shoulder, as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway.

    (c)    Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder is available, any pedestrian walking, jogging or running along and upon a highway shall walk, jog or run as near as practicable to an outside edge of the roadway, and, if on a two-way roadway, shall walk, jog or run on the left side of the roadway.

    (d)    Any pedestrian walking, jogging or running along the highway outside of a crosswalk at such time as lighted lights are required on a motor vehicle as set forth in Section 337.02 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Rocky River shall wear on his or her person such garments or outer clothing that are white or of such color that will reflect light and be readily discernable in the dark, or wear reflectorized accessories or tape designed to reflect light in the dark.

    (e)    Except as otherwise provided in Sections 313.03 and 371.01, any pedestrian upon a roadway shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

    (Ord. 37-84. Passed 6-11-84.)