Council OK’s New Bicycle Regulations

Lakewood City Council approved a measure that fine-tuned the city’s laws on bicycles in the city.

However, the proposed ban on four-wheeled cycles was left out.

Instead, after several committee meetings and lots of discussion, council approved additional safety regulations at its meeting on Monday night.

The idea to ban quadricycles became a moot point earlier this month when Gov. John Kasich signed a measure into law that — among other things — changes the state language to include three- and four-wheeled bicycles into the definition of a bicycle.

Council’s public safety committee had already shifted gears, opting instead to examine the definition and include a few safety measures into the city ordinance, “regardless of the number of wheels.” 

One of those safety measures would require riders of quadricycles to ride single-file on the street. Riding them on the sidewalk will also be prohibited.

There are a few other changes — think width restrictions on sidewalks and safety lights. 

Judge Patrick Carroll ruled that Dominic Latessa’s four-wheeled, non-motorized “Rhoades Car” isn’t a toy.

It doesn’t fall under the classification of a horse-and-buggy or a tractor, either.

Latessa, a Lakewood resident, was cited for pedaling his “quadricycle” down Madison Avenue last September, before Carroll tossed out the case last year.