Bill allows motorcycles to back into angled parking spaces

OFF THE WIRE
Bill allows motorcycles to back into angled parking spaces
By MARC KOVAC
Review Capital Bureau
COLUMBUS -- Motorcyclists will be able to back their bikes into angled parking spaces, under legislation approved by the Ohio House Wednesday.
Substitute House Bill 204, sponsored by Rep. Tom Letson, a Democrat from Hubbard, passed on a vote of 96-0 and heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.
Under existing state law, motor vehicles parked on public streets and highways cannot face into traffic.
That poses a problems for people who drive motorcycles, which don't go in reverse, Letson said. For angled parking spaces, motorcyclists have to physically push their bikes into traffic, creating a dangerous situation.
Letson's bill would allow cycles to be backed into angled spaces, instead.
"Many of you are probably asking why this is necessary or what this even means," Letson said. "... The purpose for this legislation is to increase safety on Ohio's roadways and to ease the unnecessary burden on Ohio motorcycle drivers.
Several amendments were added to the legislation during the committee process, including one stating that vehicles' "daytime running lights" are sufficient to meet the state's requirement that headlights be turned on when windshield wipers are in use.
"Daytime running lights are pairs of white, yellow or amber lights (other than headlights) installed on the front of a vehicle to make it more conspicuous in daylight conditions," according to the state's Legislative Service Commission.
Marc Kovac is the Dix Capital Bureau chief. E-mail him at mkovac@dixcom.com or on Twitter at Ohio Capital Blog.