The Observation Deck

From: McHugh, Maureen (Council) [mailto:Maureen.McHugh2@lakewoodoh.net]
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 1:14 PM
To: [redacted]
Subject: Public Safety Committee Meeting Notice

Issued 03-26-13

PLEASE POST

The Public Safety Committee will meet Monday, April 1, 2013 at 5:30 PM in the Jury Room of Lakewood City Hall, 12650 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio. The following items will be discussed.

1) Communication and Resolution 07-13 To Define and Regulate the Operation of Bicycles (placed on 1st reading 3/18/13)







Ryan Nowlin, Chair
David Anderson, Shawn Juris; Members
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

Bill Call wrote:“No man's life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session.”

― Mark Twain

Will Brown wrote:Aren't you being a bit hysterical.

From:[redacted]
Sent: Monday, April 01, 2013 5:07 PM
To: 'Rhoades Car International'
Cc: [redacted]
Subject: Tonight's meeting

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Lakewood, Ohio Public Safety Committee:
I was pleased to hear that today, Ohio Governor Kasich signed Transportation Bill HB51 into law. Attached to that law was an amendment which specifically includes a 4-wheel bicycle along with the previous 2 and 3-wheel versions.

Attorney Steven Magas said it best with the following statement:

Included in the bill is a change to the state law definition of the word "Bicycle." The previous definition limited a "bicycle" to 2 or 3 wheeled vehicles. The situation in Lakewood alerted the Ohio Bicycle Federation to the obvious problem with that definition. Vinnie Latessa's "Rhoades Quad" is a four-wheeled "bicycle" that is accepted as a vehicle everywhere… except Lakewood. The Ohio Bicycle Federation drafted the new "Bicycle" definition, got it added to HB51 as an amendment, and it is now approved by the legislature and will become the law in Ohio once the Gov. signs the bill. The NEW definition clearly includes Vinnie LaTessa's quadricycle, and a wide array of other unique human powered devices being marketed today.

Accordingly, I would urge Lakewood to NOT take any steps that will become contrary to Ohio law - the NEW version -which will take effect after the Gov. signs on Monday.

In 2006, the OBF developed a package of reforms to Ohio traffic law - the Better Bicycling Bill - which included a provision forbidding any municipality from passing a law that is fundamentally inconsistent with state law. In this case, Vinnie Latessa's vehicle will be street legal once the bill is signed on Monday and any effort to keep the quadricycle off the roads through some definitional semantics would, in my mind, be contrary to law.”

Rhoades Car agrees with Mr. Magas’ assessment and requests that the Lakewood Public Safety Committee votes to adhere to the new Ohio law. Thank you once again for your attention.