Bicycling in Youngstown

Bicycling for Transportation

Bicycling for transportation is easy when you pick the right roads. With this map (click on map at right), expert cyclists have shared what they know about the most pleasant and useful routes around the City of Youngstown. They've worked to find a good road within half a mile of wherever you are, or wherever you'd like to get to.

But not all pleasant roads are rated on this map! Most city streets are fine for cycling, and you may find many others that are useful for you. So use this map as a beginning, but explore on your own. See the sights, meet your neighbors, and enjoy your bike in the outdoors.

The Youngstown, Ohio Bicycle Transportation Map is courtesy of the Outspokin' Wheelmen and the Youngstown State University Center for Urban and Regional Studies. Printed maps are available for $2 each at local bicycle shops and at the City of Youngstown Economic Development Office, 20 Federal Place - 2nd Floor, 20 West Federal Street, Youngstown.

Street Rating Definitions

GREEN ROADS are fine for NOVICE CYCLISTS who:

  • know and obey the rules of the road
  • have basic braking and shifting skills
  • can ride straight with no wobbling
  • signal turns and stops
  • prefer to avoid cars
  • are more comfortable making two-stage left turns, by stopping first at the far right corner, then waiting there for traffic to clear.

ORANGE ROADS are good for INTERMEDIATE CYCLISTS who also:

  • can scan over a shoulder while riding a straight line
  • take a lane whenever necessary for safety
  • comfortably make left turns as a vehicle, especially on two lane or three lane roads
  • can stop quickly when needed
  • can start quickly from a stop
  • are aware of road hazards and know to avoid them.

RED ROADS are suggested for ADVANCED CYCLISTS who also:

  • are comfortable with faster or busier traffic, even with narrow lanes
  • can confidently take their place on any roadway
  • comfortably negotiate with motorists when needing to change lanes
  • easily make left turns by merging into a left lane or a left turn only lane
  • are expert at avoiding road hazards
  • are expert at anticipating traffic situations.

DISCLAIMER: All routes and information shown on this map are merely suggestions intended to advise competent adults, and require caution and discretion on the part of the user. Users of this map do so voluntarily, and bear full responsibility for safety. The City of Youngstown, its employees, associates and volunteers disclaim any responsibility for injuries, damages or losses resulting from use of the map's information.

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Bicycle Trails

Several proposals for bicycle trails in Youngstown are under consideration. However, while there currently are no dedicated bicycle trails within the city limits, there are four major asphalt "rail-to-trail" paths within a 5 to 20 mile radius of Youngstown, including three completed segments of the Great Ohio Lake-To-River Greenway:

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Bicycle Safety Tips

  • Ride on the right side of the road. Never ride facing traffic. Riding facing traffic is far more dangerous than riding with traffic. (Want to keep an eye on traffic? Use a rear-view mirror.)
  • Use lights at night. Reflectors are not enough! The law requires a headlight and taillight.
  • Ride your bike as a vehicle. Cyclists have the same rights to the road as other vehicle operators, and cyclists must follow the same rules!
  • Stay off sidewalks. Sidewalk riding is more dangerous than properly riding the road.
  • Follow ALL the rules of the road. Obey traffic lights, stop signs and lane markings.
  • Ride straight and steady. Don't weave in between parked cars.
  • Stay out of the gutter! Gutter riders are less visible, have less room to avoid potholes, and are more likely to be cut off by motorists. You have a legal right to the road, not just the gutter!
  • Stay out of the door zone! Car doors can pop open and knock you into traffic. Give parked cars at least five feet of clearance.
  • Make eye contact with motorists. It helps get motorists' attention, and can warn you if you're not noticed.
  • Choose your left turn style. If you have the skill, first signal, then move toward road center when clear behind, then turn left when clear ahead. Too difficult? You may prefer to ride straight, stop at the far right corner, turn your bike toward the left, then cross when it's clear.
  • Share the lane when safe passing is possible. When it's safe to share the lane, let faster vehicles pass.
  • Don't share narrow lanes. If a lane's too narrow to safely share, discourage unsafe passing by riding near lane center. You have a legal right to safe use of the lane!
  • Watch the road surface. Avoid potholes, gravel, glass, and slippery wet metal.
  • Don't get clothing caught in your bike. Tie your shoelaces short, use safety pins or other devices to contain pants cuffs, and keep jackets etc. from dangling into your spokes or chain.
  • Carry packages only in bags, baskets or racks. Don't carry items in your hands or arms while you ride.
  • Use extra care in the rain. Roads are slippery, and bike brakes don't work as well when wet.
  • Cross train tracks carefully. Cross at a right angle, or your wheel may stick in the slot and cause a crash.
  • Keep your bike in good repair. Check your brakes and tires. Be sure nothing is loose.
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Bicycle Laws

Ohio's Bicycle Laws - Condensed version

For complete versions, visit http://codes.ohio.gov/orc.

  • § 4501.01. - Bicycles are legally vehicles!
  • § 4511.07. - Local ordinances may not prohibit riding bicycles on the road, and cannot violate uniform rules of the road.
  • § 4511.25. - Bicyclists must ride on the right half of the road, not facing traffic. They are not required to endanger themselves to let others pass.
  • § 4511.27. - Bicycles must pass slower vehicles on the left. They may not needlessly obstruct passing vehicles.
  • § 4511.31. - Motorists may cross a yellow line to pass bikes or other vehicles traveling less than half the speed limit, if it is safe to do so.
  • § 4511.36. - Bicyclists must make turns from the appropriate side of their road or lane (i.e. no left turns from the right edge of the road).
  • § 4511.39. - Bicyclists must signal their turns. Signal only once, and only when you can safely ride with one hand.
  • § 4511.40. - Hand signals: "Slowing or stopping" is the hand and arm down and to the left. "Left turn" is the hand and arm pointing straight out to the left. "Right turn" is the right arm pointing straight out to the right, or the left arm extended up and pointing right.
  • § 4511.52. - Bicyclists must follow traffic laws, and can be ticketed and fined when they don't. Violators may be required to take a bike safety course.
  • § 4511.54. - Bicyclists may not hang on to motor vehicles to get towed.
  • § 4511.55. - Bicyclists must keep right, but only as far right as is safe. They may ride away from the edge of the road whenever necessary for safety - for example, to prevent unsafe passing in a narrow lane, or to avoid surface hazards, car doors that may open, or other objects. Bicyclists are permitted to ride two abreast, but no more than two abreast.
  • § 4511.56. - Bikes used at night must have a white headlight, a red taillight and a red rear reflector, which may be part of the taillight. Bikes must have an adequate brake.
  • § 4511.711. - Local authorities can prohibit sidewalk bicycling.

City of Youngstown Bicycle Ordinances:

  • 303.06 - Bicycles may not be ridden on freeways.
  • 371.07 - Bicyclists must yield right of way to pedestrians on sidewalks.
  • 373.02 - Ride only on a proper bike seat, and keep at least one hand on the handlebars.
  • 373.08 - Reckless operation of bicycles is prohibited.
  • 373.09 - Bikes can't be parked where they interfere with pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
  • 373.10 - Ordinances for motorized bicycles are much more strict.
  • 373.13 - Bikes may not be ridden on sidewalks or jogging paths in Wick Park.
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Local Bicycle Shops

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Bicycle Organizations

Out-Spokin' Wheelmen

Join Youngstown's Bicycle Club. Explore the area with us! Rides every weekend!

Out-Spokin' Wheelmen
P.O. Box 838
Youngstown, OH 44501

Ohio Bicycle Federation

Join the Ohio Bicycle Federation - Your cycling advocacy organization, working with the legislature for bicyclists' rights in Ohio.

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Links

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