Michigan Bicycle Laws

Required under age

No statewide age requirement

Applies to passengers

—

Standard

—

Penalty

No statewide bicycle helmet law. Some municipalities require helmets for minors - check local ordinances.

Statute

—

See our find your helmet size and kids bike sizing guide.

Statewide rule

Allowed with conditions

Notes

Michigan Compiled Laws § 257.660c expressly permits bicycles on sidewalks and crosswalks: a rider on a sidewalk has the rights and duties of a pedestrian, must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, and must give an audible signal before overtaking. The statute does not apply where local authorities have prohibited bicycles on a particular sidewalk by official traffic-control device. Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor each restrict sidewalk riding in their central business districts via posted signs.

Statute

¹

See our commuter bike sizing guide and bike fitting guide.

Applies to bicycles

No

Separate cycling DUI statute

No

BAC limit

—

Penalty

Michigan's OWI statute (MCL 257.625) applies to operators of a 'vehicle,' but the Vehicle Code's definition of vehicle (MCL 257.79) excludes 'devices exclusively moved by human power,' which leaves bicycles outside the statute. Cyclists may still face disorderly-person or public-intoxication charges under MCL 750.167.

Statute

¹²

— Not yet researched.

Front light required

Yes

Front spec

Lamp on the front emitting a white light visible from at least 500 feet to the front.

Rear requirement

Rear reflector only

Rear spec

Red rear reflector visible from 100 to 600 feet when directly in front of lawful low-beam headlamps. A red rear lamp visible from 500 feet may be used in addition to the reflector but does not replace it.

Side reflectors

No

Pedal reflectors

No

When required

Darkness

Statute

¹

See our bike lights that meet the law and winter and low-light cycling setup.

— Not yet researched.

Two abreast allowed

Yes

Conditions

Two abreast permitted on the roadway except on roadway portions set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, where the cap does not apply. Three or more abreast is not permitted on the roadway.

Statute

¹

Rule

—

Statute

—

— Not yet researched.

Bicycle registration required

No

Operator license required

No

Interstates

Prohibited

Notes

Bicycles are prohibited on Michigan Interstate freeways (I-75, I-94, I-96, I-69, I-275, I-696) under Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) controlled-access regulations. The Mackinac Bridge runs an annual Labor Day bike-walk crossing under MDOT escort. Conventional US and state routes (US-2, US-23, M-22) remain open to bicycles.