The Motorcycle Legal Minute™ was created by Jason Waechter, THE Motorcycle Lawyer, to explain Michigan’s motorcycle law in a short and easy to understand way.

 

I had a case one time where the defense attorney tried to argue that it was negligent for my client to be riding next to another motorcycle in the same lane. This is called ‘lane sharing.’  The lawyer pointed to Michigan’s Motorcycle Operator’s Manual that actually does say:

“Motorcycles need a full lane to operate safely.  

Do not share lanes with other vehicles.  

You should ride in a staggered formation…”

 

Well, he was leaving some important parts out when he cited the manual. It was taken out of context which changed the actual law. To combat this, I showed the actual statute. (A statute is the law and that is what matters in court.) 

 

The law says: 

“A person riding a motorcycle, upon a roadway shall not ride more than 2 abreast.”

 

Translation: You can ride side-by-side. 

 

Further, a motorcyclist is entitled to the entire lane and can occupy any part of it. Some reasons for this are it allows us to see and be seen, helps avoid blind spots, road hazards and wind blasts from other vehicles. Choice of lane position depends on traffic, the roadway, terrain, and personal preference. 

 

Pasted here is the applicable Michigan statute:

 

MCL 257.660 Electric personal assistive mobility device, low-speed vehicle, commercial quadricycle; electric skateboard, or moped; operation; limitations; applicability to police officer; regulation by local government; prohibitions; regulation by department of natural resources.

 

Sec. 660.

  (1) A person operating an electric personal assistive mobility device, low-speed vehicle, electric skateboard, or moped upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable and shall exercise due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction. A motorcycle is entitled to full use of a lane, and a motor vehicle shall not be driven in such a manner as to deprive a motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection does not apply to motorcycles operated 2 abreast in a single lane.

  (2) A person riding an electric personal assistive mobility device, motorcycle, electric skateboard, or moped upon a roadway shall not ride more than 2 abreast except on a path or part of a roadway set aside for the exclusive use of those vehicles. 

 

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