JASON'S TOP 10 Michigan Motorcycle Laws You Need to Know About

As Seen in Thunder Road Magazine

 

 

 It's "back to school" season this month, the perfect time to provide a bit of education about Michigan's motorcycle laws. As many readers know, I like to try to stay on top of new or changing laws that affect Michigan's motorcyclists, and usually these laws are about what a driver can or cannot do on the road. This month, I've compiled a list of ten motorcycle-related laws you may not have known, many of which are rules about how your bike can, and cannot, be put together. 

 

ONE: Do you even ride a motorcycle? Sometimes, there is confusion about the legal difference between a motorcycle and a moped. A motorcycle is defined as "every motor vehicle having a saddle or seat for the use of the rider and designated to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground…" (MCL 257.31). A moped is a 2- or 3-wheeled vehicle that meets the following three criteria: the motor does not exceed 100 cubic centimeters piston displacement; the motor cannot propel the vehicle faster than 30 mph; and, "the power drive system does not require the operator to shift gears (MCL 257.32b).

 

 TWO: Believe it or not, there is no minimum age requirement for a motorcycle passenger. Instead, the law mandates that "a passenger shall not ride on a motorcycle unless his or her feet can rest on the foot rests or pegs," [MCL 257.658a(1)]. In other words, as long as a passenger is tall enough that their feet can rest on the foot rests or pegs, they are good to go. The same statute specifies that motorcycles "shall be equipped with adequate seats and securely attached foot rests or pegs for each designated seating position." 

 

THREE: You may be able to carry a passenger on your bike, but you cannot carry a package when you ride in Michigan! "A moped or motorcycle operator shall not carry any package, bundle, or article that prevents the driver from keeping both hands upon the handlebars of the vehicle," (MCL 257.661). Rules for cell phone use vary from city to city, so your best bet is to put your phone away until you get to your destination.

 

FOUR: Though helmets are optional as long as certain criteria are met, eye protection is not. A motorcyclist traveling more than 35mph must wear "goggles with transparent lenses, eyeglasses, or a transparent face shield," if the motorcycle doesn't have a windshield. Eye protection must be shatter-resistant and big enough to protect the rider's eyes against "airborne materials and other road debris," (MCL 257.708a). 

 

FIVE: Want to feel the wind in your hair? Motorcyclists can choose not to wear a helmet in Michigan, as long as they meet the following criteria: the rider must have had their CY endorsement for at least two years, or passed a certified rider training program; the rider must be 21 years of age or older; and, the rider must have a minimum of $20,000 in first-party medical benefits insurance [MCL  257.658(5)]. Passengers who wish to ride without a helmet must meet the last two criteria listed above. Finally, all moped riders 19 years or younger must wear a helmet [MCL 257.658(4)].

 

SIX: Thinking of going from three wheels to two? According to the law, a motorcycle endorsement (CY) issued for the operation of a 3-wheeled motorcycle, "is restricted to that operation and does not permit operation of a 2-wheeled motorcycle," [MCL 257.312b(3)]. In other words, if you rode a 3-wheeled motorcycle to pass your CY endorsement road test, or to take and pass a certified rider training program,  your endorsement is specific to 3-wheeled bikes only. If, however, you did your road test and/or certified rider training program on a 2-wheeled motorcycle, and you decide you want to ride a 3-wheeled bike instead, your CY endorsement is fine; you do not need to get a new one. If you're not sure about which endorsement you need, contact your local Secretary of State office. 

 

SEVEN: Got ape hangers? Don't stretch too far! Handlebars on motorcycles or mopeds on Michigan's roads must not be higher than 15 inches "from the lowest point of the undepressed saddle to the highest point of the handle grips," (MCL 257.661a).

 

EIGHT: It's no big surprise that motorcycles are required to have two brakes - one front, one rear - that can be operated by hand or foot (MCL 257.705). But, did you know that motorcycles operating on Michigan's highways must be equipped with a working horn? It must be "capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not  less than 200 feet," but it cannot be unreasonably loud or harsh, and it cannot whistle (MCL 257.706).

 

NINE: Can a motorcycle ever be too loud, really? Yes, at least according to Michigan's laws. Since 1978, motor vehicles have been required to meet specific noise limitations, and may not exceed the following limits: If the speed limit is 35mph or higher, the noise limit is 86 DBA*; if the speed limit is 35mph or lower, the noise limit is 82 DBA; or, "95 DBA under stationary run-up test at 75 inches," (MCL 257.707c). 

 

TEN: There are several mentions of lights and reflectors in Michigan's laws. For example, motorcycles and mopeds are "required to have one rear stop lamp," (MCL 257.697b). And, motorcycles and mopeds must have at least one, and not more than two, head lamps, which must  be between 24 and 54 inches above the ground on which the bike is standing, and meet several other criteria (for more information, see MCL 257.685). Reflectors on the front or front sides of a motorcycle must be amber colored; those on the rear or rear sides must be red; and the light lighting up your license plate must be white (MCL 257.689). 

 

Remember, a single article could never cover every Michigan law that applies to motorcycles or motorcyclists; this article provides a snapshot of some of the laws currently on the books. Every case is different, so if you've been hurt in a crash or if you have questions about a Michigan motorcycle law, call me at 1-877-BIKER-LAW, or email clerk@lawyerforlife.com. You can also connect with my team and me at  Facebook.com/TheMotorcycleLawyer. 

Source(s): www.michigan.gov