Michigan Bicycle Laws

Sometimes, bicycle laws are a gray area. Even when there are clear laws on the books protecting the rights of cyclists, law enforcement may shift any blame to the cyclist. In many cases, law enforcement is more than happy to protect cyclists' rights, but motorists feel cyclists have no rights, and most of the time, motorists don't even know that there are laws giving us rights.

That may be a bit of a confusing paragraph, so let me sum it up. If you ride on the road, know your rights. Click on the League of American Bicyclists link to the right to help you find information for your state. Michigan law is summed up below.


In general, cyclists should follow the same laws as motorists.

State of Michigan: What Every Driver Should Know
Bicycles and Mopeds pp 105-106, pp 107-108 of the .pdf

Much of the advice about motorcyclists also applies to bicycle and moped riders. Bicycle and moped riders are allowed to ride in a traffic lane, but must stay as far to the right as practical, obey traffic signals, not ride more than two abreast in a single lane, and must ride in the same direction as other traffic. Bicyclists entering a roundabout are encouraged to ride in the center of the lane, traveling at or near the speed of circulating traffic. Motorists who encounter bicyclists in a roundabout are urged to use caution, be courteous, and share the road.

A bicycle or moped ridden after dark must have a front headlight and rear reflector. But these may be hard to see. A person riding a bicycle on a sidewalk meant for pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and sound a horn or bell before overtaking and passing a pedestrian.

Watch the side of the road for slow-moving bicycles and mopeds without reflectors. Be ready to dim the headlights. While it is safer not to, you may drive beside a bicycle or moped in the same lane. Leave plenty of room. A rider may turn sharply to avoid something in the road or a door being opened from a parked vehicle.

The Michigan Vehicle Code does not require vehicles such as go-peds and electric scooters to be registered. Some municipalities have outlawed the use of go-peds and electric scooters on roads and sidewalks.

Although the law only requires moped riders under age 19 to wear approved, properly fastened safety helmets, all moped and bicycle riders should wear them as well as reflective clothing.

State of Michigan: What Every Driver Should Know

MDOT: Mackinac Bridge

How can my bicycle group get across the Mackinac Bridge?

Answer:
Bicyclists are not allowed to cross the Mackinac Bridge on their own. The Mackinac Bridge Authority will transport your group across the bridge in Mackinac Bridge Authority vehicles. The fee is $2.00 per bicycle.

If you are traveling northbound, there is a phone at the south end of the bridge. Instructions for using the phone are posted in the phone box.

If you are southbound, please go to our service window in the administration building and ask for assistance. The administration building is located on the north end of the Mackinac Bridge on the east side of the toll plaza.

The service is provided on an as needed basis. If you need additional information please call us at 906-643-7600.

MDOT Frequently Asked Questions: Mackinaw Bridge


The Mackinac Bridge Authority will transport your group across the bridge in Mackinac Bridge Authority vehicles for $2.00 per bicycle.

League of Michigan Bicyclists

YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY
Section 257.612.1(a)
Vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians and bicyclists lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time the signal is exhibited.

Section 257.612.1(d)
The vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and bicyclists lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

MANDATORY SIDE PATH
Section 257.660.3
Where a usable and designated path for bicycles is provided adjacent to a highway or street, a person operating an electric personal assistive mobility device may, by local ordinance, be required to use that path.

EXCEPTIONS TO FAR RIGHT
Section 257.660a
A person operating a bicycle upon a highway or street at less than the existing speed of traffic shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except as follows:

(a) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or any other vehicle proceeding in the same direction.

(b) When preparing to turn left.

(c) When conditions make the right-hand edge of the roadway unsafe or reasonably unusable by bicycles, including, but not limited to, surface hazards, an uneven roadway surface, drain openings, debris, parked or moving vehicles or bicycles, pedestrians, animals, or other obstacles, or if the lane is too narrow to permit a vehicle to safely overtake and pass a bicycle.

(d) When operating a bicycle in a lane in which the traffic is turning right but the individual intends to go straight through the intersection.

(e) When operating a bicycle upon a 1-way highway or street that has 2 or more marked traffic lanes, in which case the individual may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of that roadway as practicable.

2-ABREAST RIDING
Sec. 257.660b.
Two or more individuals operating bicycles upon a highway or street shall not ride more than 2 abreast except upon a path or portion of the highway or street set aside for the use of bicycles.

PARKING A BICYCLE ON A SIDEWALK
Sec. 257.660d.
(1) An individual may park a bicycle on a sidewalk except as prohibited by an official traffic control device.

(2) An individual shall not park a bicycle on a sidewalk in such a manner that the bicycle impedes the lawful movement of pedestrians or other traffic.

Entire Law
LMB Bike Advocacy Center