michigan motor bicycle law

I went to a lawyer and he looked up the specifics on Michigan. This is what he wrote. So now we have the SOS and Lawyer point of views. They seem pretty consistent.

MCL 257.33 is the definition of a “motor vehicle”. It is below, as is the moped law, 257.32b, which appears to apply to your bike. You can find these and other laws at Michigan Legislature, filling in the number under “MCL Section”.

As to a moped, the following apply:

257.216 – a moped does not need a certificate of title.
257.217b – a moped and a low-speed vehicle shall have permanently affixed to their frame a manufacturer’s identification number.
257.312a – you need a special restricted license to operate a moped. (All you need to get it is a driver’s license). $7.50 for the first time and $6.00 for the renewals. You have to renew every 4 years, so it comes to less than $2.00 a year.
257.657 – you have to obey the law as to speed, stop lights, etc.
257.658 – you have to sit on the seat, only one can ride, and you have to wear a helmet if you are under 19
257.660 – don’t ride on the sidewalk, stay to the right as far as possible, don’t go between traffic lanes.
257.661 – don’t carry a package or bundle that would keep you from having both hands for steering
257.679a – don’t go on a limited access highway
257.685 – you need a headlight
257.697b – you need a rear stop lamp (the requirements for both lamps are set out in 257.697 and 257.702)
257.705 – you need front and rear brakes
257.706 – you need a horn that can be heard 200 ft.
257.801e – IMPORTANT – this section sets out what needs to be done to register the vehicle. You should familiarize yourself with it and take your questions to a secretary of state office, telling them that you made the vehicle from a kit. They should be able to tell you what you need.

Just to clarify the above post, you don't need a special restricted license to ride a moped if you already have a driver's license. If you're 15, you can legally ride a moped by getting one of those restricted licenses. But if you have a driver's license, you're already legal.

A moped sticker costs $15 and is good for three years. There's no inspection, and they're not very picky. Just make up a bill of sale that looks convincing and has a VIN or serial number, make and mileage, give them your $15 and you'll get your sticker.

Hooray, I'm legal as of last Thursday! I had to put on a headlight, turn signals, horn, brake light and mirror. Registered it as an assembled vehicle. Proof of motor purchase, my paypal reciept, state tax paid at the SOS. VIN was the serial number of the bike. Vehicle inspection not necessary because it only is for motorcycles and up. $24 out the door ($15 sticker + tax on the motor). Now it is time to cruise without legal worry.

Hi bigdreamz2000,

Could you clarify a couple things for me about registering your bike? Thanks in advance.

I looked on the MI SOS website about registering an assembled vehicle (i.e. a bicycle with a gas engine kit). It says you need ownershiop documents for "Engine, Frame, Front end assembly including the fork, Wheels, Seat" for a motorcycle. Is this not the case with a motor-powered pedal bike since it is not big enough to be classified as a motorcycle? I mean how would you have documents if you bought the bike at a garage sale and used an old engine you had lying around?

Also, so I don't need a police safety inspection since it is considered a moped and not a motorcycle?.... (too small to require a safety inspection?) I'm asking because I called the toll free SOS number today and the lady I spoke with made it sound like I would need the bicycle inspected by a police officer (maybe she didn't realize how small the engine was).

Thanks,

Eng86

Bigdreamz2000.
Would you please describe your light setup? Especially the brake light setup.

Start with the assurance from me that it is not a motorcycle so you don't need a vehicle inspection. It is a moped as long as it is under 49cc, has a small brake horse power, and does not have gears, has lights, has mirrors, etc. I did bring my paypal reciept in to prove it was what I said it was, the SOS realized I needed to pay state tax on the motor kit, which I did there. Other reciepts are not needed, but you will need the serial number of the bike or they will charge you to inscribe a permanent VIN on your bike. That way you cannot just move the sticker around. Remind them that when you sign the document that states you have read and meet all the parameters of a moped the onus is on your shoulders not theirs. They are worried about giving you a sticker for something not up to par and getting in trouble. What they don't realize is that you are taking responsibility to for reading and meeting the moped standards if a police officer pulled you over. Good luck

For my brake, turn signal, horn I used something similar to this setup:
Motorized bicycle GAS ENGINE -signal & brake light horn - eBay (item 150361391809 end time Aug-23-09 16:08:46 PDT)

For the headlight I used a 12volt headlight assembly from a busted up electric scooter that I salvaged. I power it with a rechargable 18volt drill battery from Harbor Freight ($10). It is extra bright because of the extra voltage but it has worked well for some time now. I thought it would burn out right away, but it has not. If it did I was going to replace it with a 24volt bulb since the drill battery actually charges up to 21volts when fully charged. I really need to get some pictures of this set up. For the price it is good.

Yes, yes. Pictures, pictures. Everyone loves pictures.

Hmmmmm.
My bike was manufactured to accomodate up to 2 people. I wonder how that is interpreted in the vague scheme of things.



'93 Trailmate Easy Ride Tandem
48cc motor, stock kit. (66really) xtra long chain & chain guard.
18t freewheel no gears. White wire basket on front. (cool factor)

Gee Officer, the bike weighs 85lbs, I'm 170, my wife is 145. total is bout 400. Can't go over 20mph and we have our AARP cards on us and this was a gift from our grand kids.... besides I need this because of my knee surgery for rehab. Wanna see the scar?


Wha da ya think....?

Alajoyn
Portage, MI

I don't think you have anything to worry about as long as the pedals are linked to the sprocket. Occasionally I'll have coffee with a woman who works at the Secretary of State office in Paw Paw and she told me it didn't matter how big a motor you had on the bike as long as the pedals were on it and linked to the sprocket, they call it "pedal assist" and needs no license. As I remember now you may be required to wear some eye protection. I've always wore sunglasses and have no problem with the Mattawan cops, these cops will write you up for anything they can invent. Always lock your bike up to something when leaving it for any reason, I've got a couple of stories about that.