the law in GR,MI

metta · #1 05-15-2009, 09:38 PM

Well, as far as i'm concerned, i'm not going to hassle with getting inspections or license until push comes to shove. I know others have already checked with the secretary of state (michigan's dmv), but the laws are all ambiguous at best and are geared for the licensing and registration of motorcycles, mopeds and scooters, not motor assisted bicycles. I kept my bike fully functional as a 21 speed comfort bicycle. I hit the kill switch and my baby isn't even motor assisted, just a regular bike. As far as i'm concerned, i'm riding a motor assisted bicycle, not a motorized bicycle. Honestly, if something goes wrong with my bike, i can't take it to a moped or scooter dealership, i have to to take it to the bicycle shop.

Word on the street in GR, MI is that as long as you're not jack@ssing around, the local 50 can't be bothered. So, until enough morons ruin it for the rest of us, i'm just going to obey the local speed limits and regular road law.

I've ridden past a few grpd and even the county sheriff with no issues. I figure motor assisted bicycles.... memorize the term until it rolls off the tongue like your own name, won't become an issue until some kid gets run over or gets hurt in a self inflicted scrape.

metta · #2 05-15-2009, 09:56 PM

just read shawnmac's post common sense trumps all and agree with him completely. Speed isn't the issue here, we are riding bicycles, not mopeds or scooters. If some one gets pulled over for going to fast or jack@ssing around on an ebike which can reach speeds of 20 miles per hour without modifications, they don't get busted for riding a moped or scooter, they get busted for acting like a moron on a motor assisted bicycle. I also have a cycle endorsement and my opinions come not from trying to skirt the law, but from looking at the issue of motorcycles, mopeds and scooters verses assisted bicycles when it comes to registration and licensing. I have at one time or another owned and operated all 5. Bottom, line, respect and follow the law and be smart about the language you use.

NEAT TIMES · #3 05-17-2009, 12:21 PM

Metta, Sounds Like A Plan To Me!!! Ron

metta · #4 05-20-2009, 04:53 PM

michigan law has a rule you may not be aware of. all bicycles must have a lamp that can be seen from 500 yards( sounds gruesome, but basicly flashlight strength) from 15 minutes before sunset to 15 minutes before sunrise. get yourself a light michigan mb's...

cabbiex5 · #5 06-02-2009, 01:34 AM

gotta love the mitten mbers. from dearborn here!!!!! MI law says gotta be registered as a moped. I called of SOS (MI dmv) and said "motor assisted" and they said it had to be registered because if ridden on the road it is a moped and no motored anything can go on the sidewalk.

metta · #6 06-06-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

MI law says gotta be registered as a moped. I called of SOS (MI dmv) and said "motor assisted" and they said it had to be registered because if ridden on the road it is a moped and no motored anything can go on the sidewalk.

I respectfully disagree. Firstly, the sos doesn't have anything to do with titling, licensing or registering bicycles. If you call them up and ask them anything especially about a motorized something, they're automatically going to assume you have a moped or it's equivalent.

Repeat after me: Bicycle, Bicycle, Bicycle. not enough times... keep saying it until it sticks. Try calling the sos and ask them about licensing a non titled ebike. My guess is they will still tell you , you have to get it licensed and registered, even though you don't. that's the sos for you-

Ebikes aren't mopeds, neither are gas motorized bicycles which are still fully functional bicycles.

I have seen people riding those tiny little motorcycles and get pulled over. I have seen people who buy those freaky non legal mopeds and get pulled over. I have never seen any one on a bicycle(gas or electric assisted) ever get pulled over. Why? Because mopeds are mopeds and bicycles are bicycles. The cops know that and so does the sos.

P.S. Its unlawful to ride a bicycle on any pedestrian side walk in the state of michigan. Bicyclists are supposed to ride on the street. This law like many others is simply not enforced because so many people ignore it. While i'm sure many 50 would happily right as many tickets for this as possible, most would be ashamed to write a kid a ticket and know most judges wouldn't enforce the citation.

cabbiex5 · #7 06-07-2009, 03:55 AM

touche....

RPM · #8 06-09-2009, 10:02 PM

Hi everyone,

I just recently joined the forum. Great site!

I was reading 'metta's' string and I have to agree with him. DON'T ROCK THE BOAT!

A bike is a bike is a bike is a bike! If it was met to be a goped, moped, scooter or motorcycle it would have been manufactured as that.

I walked into the DMV May 14, 2009 and asked them about motor assisted bicycles and what if anything is required of them to ride on the road. The reply from the lady was she doesn't know anything about them and handed me a piece of paper with a phone number on it and said "here, you can call them its a toll free number!" WOW! Thats good enough for me!

I don't go around telling cops how to do their jobs and I'm not going to start telling the receptionist at the DMV how to do hers. Those people are there for a reason and if they don't know what their job is they need to be replaced with a person that is representative of the position they were hired for in the first place.

Unfortunately the law on motor assisted bicycles is at the very least subjective in Michigan and vague. If a cop feels like pulling you over and jerking you around he will.

Where I live last fall the Governor passed a law allowing "Quads" to drive on the shoulder of the roads in certain counties as long as they met the states criteria. The township where I live never opted out so they are legal to drive on the shoulder of the side roads. But I know if I were riding my bike on the right of way allowable by law on the road they would pull me over in a blink of an eye. The cops are just that way where I live and are quick to show you they are judge and jury all at the same time whether they know the law or not.

I always carry the moped brochure with me whenever I go out for a ride just to be prepared for when they do pull me over.

Is it debatable and arguable? Absolutely!

The first paragraph in the "Riding A Moped Safely" brochure states: "If you are a moped operator, you must follow the same traffic rules as other motor vehicle operators. A MOPED is a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with a motor which has no more than 50cc piston displacement producing two brake horsepower or less. The moped must have a power drive system that does not require shifting gears and cannot have a top speed exceeding 30 mph on level surfaces."

Well, first off I'm not trying to convert my bicycle into a moped. That would opt me out. Second, my power drive system is linked with the power drive system of my motor and it is a three speed. That opts me out. Third, it cannot have a top speed of 30 mph on level surfaces. I'll loose five pounds and do 31 mph on level surfaces. That opts me out. And fourth, A MOPED as defined by the States definition is a two or three wheeled vehicle. Hmmmm...... I'm still work'in on it and it ain't quite right yet but I have some rather small training wheels I'm working on that I will be able to raise and lower at my discretion. FOUR WHEELS! For sure that will opt me out.

Until the time comes I'm prepared and I'm not going to worry about it.

WELCOME TO THE REVOLUTION!!

RPM

HoughMade · #9 06-10-2009, 12:43 PM

Four wheels? Then you've got a car....don't go down that road if you can't figure out 5mph bumpers.