michigan motor bicycle law

[bigdreamz2000]

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.

 

[x94cherry]

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.

 

[bigdreamz2000]

I'm legal in Michigan!

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.

 

[eng86]

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

 

[sofasurferlinux]

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

 

[bigdreamz2000]

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

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

 

[bigdreamz2000]

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

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.

 

[sofasurferlinux]

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

 

[Alajoyn]

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

 

[Boomer]

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)

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.

 

[Alajoyn]

Thankx for the tips Boomer.
I restored my trailer for my little 11ft speed boat. I hang the boat off the trailer in the garage so I can use it to trailer the bike. I added alluminum channel and strap it on. We plan to travel to Petosky and S. Haven in the spring and ride around lake Mich. Wanna try the Kal Haven trail. Everyone we've seen so far in Portage...(even the spandex croud) have been quite accepting and we garner lots of smiles from the tandem.

 

[Boomer]

Thankx for the tips Boomer.
Wanna try the Kal Haven trail. Everyone we've seen so far in Portage...(even the spandex croud) have been quite accepting and we garner lots of smiles from the tandem.

I'll beg off on that one, I don't really have that much confidence in my Chinese engine, that would be some hard pedaling home if that thing ever quit. I just use it for short jaunts once in awhile. You might check on the Kal Haven rules, I don't think they allow any type of motorized vehicles on that trail. I saw a sign to that effect but can't remember where.

 

[mikeadamstattoo]

allow me to chime in here. im an avid motorcyclist. i own two motorcycles and this summer as a project i was going to build a motorized bicycle as a vintage board tracker project. im ok with a headlight and everything - but turn signals are required for a moped???!?

theyre not even required on a motorcycle.

Michigan state motorcycle laws

so what is that about?

 

[Alajoyn]

Keep in mind what your're intention of building is.... a bicycle with a motor. Not a moped.
Michigan doesn't require turn signals on a bicycle nor one with a motor. It is a vehicle not ever titled as a moped, it is a two wheeled bicycle. There in lies the difference, be it weird, but true.

Best,
Alajoyn
Portage, MI

 

[jviperm]

definition of moped
mo·ped: A lightweight motorized bicycle that can be pedaled as well as driven by a low-powered gasoline engine

a motorbike that can be pedaled or driven by a low-powered

a pedal-cycle which has a small motor

The earliest mopeds were bicycles with a helper motor in various locations, for example on top of the front wheel (friction drive)

I hope this clears up thing these bikes need to be registered acording to Michigan Law

 

[Boomer]

definition of moped
mo·ped: A lightweight motorized bicycle that can be pedaled as well as driven by a low-powered gasoline engine

a motorbike that can be pedaled or driven by a low-powered

a pedal-cycle which has a small motor

The earliest mopeds were bicycles with a helper motor in various locations, for example on top of the front wheel (friction drive)

I hope this clears up thing these bikes need to be registered acording to Michigan Law

I hate to burst your bubble on this one but they don't need to be registered as long as they are pedal assist. A good friend of mine who works in the Secretary of State Office here in Michigan says No, in fact her father-in-law has a 66cc pedal assit bike. I also called the Van Buren County Sheriffs Department and they also said No as well. Sounds to me like you're trying to interpret the law and that's Ok if your an attorney.

 

[jviperm]

It's nice you can ride around Van Buren County without a moped sticker. Because in other parts of the state we can't. Locol law is full of "Barney Fife" officers that think these bikes are mopeds os we are told to get them register as mopeds.

also if you think about it these bikes of ours are more moped then those gas powered scooters they sell as mopeds.

 

[mortokai]

I live in michigan and my local sos has me running all over town and no one seems to know what they are doing. I went to the local sos and they told me that i have to have an officer fill out a TR-54 vehicle number and on-road equipment inspection. I then have to take it back to sos and they will issue me a vin which they can use to issue me a sticker license. My problems is that the local police dept. told me that i have to have the sheriffs office do it and they told me that i have to have some road patrol do it and they wont answer there phone or return my phone calls. Also according to my local sos they don't care if it has pedals or not... if it has an engine on it its either a moped or a motorcycle depending on the piston displacement. Also in order to pass the inspection it has to have horn,brakelight,turn signal,mirror,headlight,and a stopping distance of 10 ft at top speed.OMG!!!

 

[Aaron Parks]

In the interest of adding to a lively discussion, I'll share my own experience from just last week.

I talked to several people at the SoS, both in person and over the phone. I was asked a great number of questions and there was much consultation with co-workers and "the book". Eventually, I was told that I should register my creation as an assembled moped and that I would need to produce the following:

* Bills of sale for all major components, including frame, forks, engine, etc. I was told at first that these must include the serial number if applicable, but was later told that my receipt from Wal-Mart for the bike (the only serialized component) was adequate even though it did not include the serial number.

* Generic certification (form TR-34) indicating that I had assembled the vehicle.

* Moped Certification (SOS-430).

* Vehicle Number and On-Road Equipment Inspection (TR-54). I was told that this one needed to be completed and signed by a local police officer.

I stopped by the police station and explained what I was trying to do. The officer that I spoke to was friendly and helpful. I think he might also have been amused, but too professional to let it show. He offered to stop by my house after a bit and perform the inspection. He verified that my vehicle met the on-road equipment requirements and completed the TR-54.

I took the TR-54, TR-34, SOS-430, receipt for the bike, and receipt for the engine back to the SoS. I had to pay tax on the engine since I had not paid sales tax at the time of purchase. I also paid the $15 moped registration fee and received my registration and sticker.

 

[katoomer]

Thanks Arron and the rest of you all. Its nice to read a couple of accounts about how you've gotten the moped tag in my home state of Michigan. I also agree with others. 99 out of a 100 times one might buzz right past a cop with no problem. I have already once. But, when you're out having fun on a nice summer day with friends you don't want to be hauled in and your bike taken and then have to try to fix the problem. In the real world too many cops interpret all these laws differently just like we do. The tag shows that we paid our homage to the state.

I'm not familiar with the moped tag or sticker yet. I am almost finished with my kit and in many areas I will only ride once in a while. But in my home town. They may get used to seeing me often. Then I think the possibility of getting the hammer will increase.