Recent Ohio Transportation Law Changes: What to Know
This past spring, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 54, the state transportation budget, into law. Effective June 30, 2025, the budget bill also made changes to the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) that affect how people walk and bike on roads across the state. These updates clarify existing language and definitions that reflect the growing role of walking and biking in Ohio’s transportation system.
It is critical to understand these amendments and how they impact the walking and biking environment in the state while planning and implementing active transportation projects. Understanding these updates can help communities, planners, and decision-makers better plan and deliver active transportation improvements that meet local needs. The summary below highlights some of the most notable changes related to walking and biking and is intended as a helpful, easy-to-use reference.
New Bicycle Terminology Added to Ohio Law
A variety of bicycle-related infrastructure terms and definitions are now included in the ORC.
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What’s changed: bicycle lane, bicycle box, two-stage bicycle box, bicycle signal face, bicycle signal sign, bikeway, and pedestrian hybrid beacon.
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Where to find it: These new definitions are located in Section 4511.01 of the ORC.
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Why it matters: Clear definitions help everyone better understand how these features are intended to work. As Ohio communities continue to invest in walking and biking improvements, having these terms defined in state law supports safer, more consistent use of these facilities and helps align expectations for all road users.
Clarified Shoulder Use for Pedestrians and Bicyclists
Ohio law now clearly defines what a roadway “shoulder” is and confirms that paved shoulders may be used by people walking or biking in the absence of other pedestrian or bicycle facilities.
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What’s changed: The Ohio Revised Code now includes a formal definition of “shoulder” and clarifies its role for pedestrian and bicycle travel.
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Where to find it: The updated definition of “shoulder” is located in Section 4511.01(KKKK) of the Ohio Revised Code.
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Why this matters: This update provides clear legal guidance for everyone using the road. By explicitly allowing people to walk or bike on paved shoulders when other facilities are not present, the law helps reduce confusion and supports safer, more predictable interactions among all road users—especially on roads where dedicated pedestrian or bicycle facilities are limited.
“Vulnerable Road Users” Recognized in Ohio Law for the First Time
Ohio law now acknowledges that streets and highways are used by more than just motor vehicles. An updated definition clarifies that public roads are intended for many forms of travel, including vulnerable road users.
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What’s changed: The definition of “street” or “highway” now states that public ways serve vehicular travel and other forms of transportation, including vulnerable road users. While the term is not specifically defined in law, it generally refers to people who are more physically exposed to traffic and includes those walking, biking, or traveling by horse and buggy.
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Where to find it: This update appears in Section 4511.01(BB) of the Ohio Revised Code.
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Why this matters: By recognizing vulnerable road users in state law, Ohio clarifies that streets are shared spaces meant to serve a variety of travelers. This clarification supports community efforts to design and operate roads that better consider safety and comfort for everyone, especially those at greater risk of injury in a crash. This is the only place where the term is used in the ORC.
Almost Every Intersection Is a Crosswalk, Painted or Not…
Ohio law has updated how crosswalks are defined, clarifying when a crosswalk exists at an intersection.
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What’s changed: Marked crosswalks, like painted crosswalks at intersections or mid-block locations, continue to be recognized wherever they are installed. For unmarked crosswalks, the definition is now more specific: an unmarked crosswalk exists only at intersections where sidewalks are present on one or both sides of the street. This is a change from the previous definition, which treated all intersections as crosswalks.
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Where to find it: The updated definition of “crosswalk” is located in Section 4511.01(LL) of the Ohio Revised Code.
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Why this matters: This amendment could impact the assignment of right-of-way at intersections that lack sidewalks and which are not marked with a crosswalk. This may further underscore the need to stripe crosswalks in location where pedestrian right-of-way is important.
Don’t Park in the Bike Lane!
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What’s changed: As part of House Bill 54, bicycle lanes have been added to the list of locations where vehicles may not park.
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Where to find it: This update is included in Section 4511.68(A)(17) of the Ohio Revised Code.
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Why this matters: Keeping bicycle lanes clear helps ensure safer, more predictable travel for people biking and reduces conflicts between road users. This change supports the growing network of bike facilities across Ohio and reinforces their intended use as dedicated space for bicyclists.
Key Takeaways
House Bill 54 made several updates to the Ohio Revised Code that apply statewide and support the continued growth of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Together, these changes help clarify expectations, improve consistency, and create a stronger foundation for planning, designing, and using streets that work for everyone.
For a complete list of Ohio Revised Code updates related to walking and biking, view the full summary here: Ohio Revised Code Updates.pdf.
To access the most current version of Ohio law, visit: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code
Additional statewide resources that support pedestrian and bicycle planning and design include:
 Announcements
Here are upcoming opportunities, funding options, and resources to support your active transportation work.
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ODOT is hosting a webinar to provide an overview of its recently published Active Transportation Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) Tool and Cost Opinion Tool. The tools are USDOT BCA–compliant and can be used to support applications for federal funding. The webinar will be held February 11 at 10:00 AM; registration is now open!
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America Walks is now accepting applications for its 2026 Walking College fellowship through February 16, 2026. This mostly virtual program (mid-April through July) builds skills in people-first community design to support safer, more walkable and multimodal communities. Teams of 2–3 applicants and those from rural communities are prioritized.
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ODOT has released an update to the Multimodal Design Guide, with revisions to Parts 1–11. Detailed revision information and a full revision history are available on ODOT’s Multimodal Design Guide revisions webpage.
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Put a Lid On It Bicycle Helmet Program is now accepting applications until February 27! The Ohio AAP aims to provide at least partial awards to all applicants. Award letters will be sent the first week of March, and helmet pick-up will take place the first week of May in Columbus, OH.
- The AARP Community Challenge Grant is now accepting applications for its 2026 Community Challenge, which provides quick-action grants to support projects that make communities more livable for people of all ages, with a focus on residents age 50+. Eligible projects include a wide range of active transportation, placemaking, and public space improvements. Applications are due March 4, 2026.
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ODOT’s annual Safe Routes to School funding application opened up January 5! Review the full 2026 SRTS Application Guidance today and get ready to submit an application by the March 6 deadline! If you are applying for project funding, first step is confirming eligibility with your District SRTS Coordinator. If you missed it, the 2026 SRTS Application webinar recording is available here: ODOT Safe Routes to School Program - 2026 Application Overview.
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The Greater Ohio Policy Center is hosting the 2026 Ohio Active Transportation Conference, which will offer an opportunity for advocates, local government leaders and transportation professionals and practitioners to learn and network about active transportation! If you are interested in presenting, the deadline for session proposal submissions is February 27, 2026: 2026 Ohio Active Transportation Conference Panel Submission Form.
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ODOT has statewide e-bike educational information. Check out the downloadable tip cards and social media posts on the right side of the page: Electric Bicycles (E-Bikes).
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Transit data is now available in TIMS! You can now view both fixed route transit stops and service routes, which may be useful as part of local pedestrian or bicycle related planning or project development.
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Save the Date: The Ohio Traffic Safety Office is accepting presentation submissions for the 2026 Ohio Traffic Safety Summit on May 19-20, 2026. Visit ohiotrafficsafetysummit.com for more details.
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