Bicycle Transportation Program Menu

Safety Equipment

A group of bicyclists

Not only does possessing the proper safety equipment protect bicyclists, but some equipment is also required by law.

SOMETIMES

Per CMC 505-13(b), bicyclists 15 years of age and younger are required to wear helmets.

The City of Cincinnati Bicycle Transportation Program recommends that adults also wear helmets. 

ORC 4511.56 requires that bicycles in use between sunset and sunrise be equipped with the following:

  1. A lamp mounted on the front of either the bicycle or the operator that shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front and three hundred feet to the sides. A generator-powered lamp that emits light only when the bicycle is moving may be used to meet this requirement.
  2. A red reflector on the rear that shall be visible from all distances from one hundred feet to six hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.
  3. A lamp emitting either flashing or steady red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear shall be used in addition to the red reflector. If the red lamp performs as a reflector it may serve as the reflector and a separate reflector is not required.

YES

According to ORC 4511.56 (D), “Every bicycle shall be equipped with an adequate brake when used on a street or highway.”

YES

In Cincinnati “No person shall ride a bicycle unless it is equipped with a bell or other device capable of giving an audible signal, except that no bicycle shall be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a bicycle any siren or whistle” (CMC 503-40).