Confused in Michigan ?

[jared8783]

Your mb by law would be defined as a moped.
According to michigan it must have 2-3 wheels and be DESIGNED to do 30mph or less.
Don't tell them that you have a motorized bicycle. Tell them you have a home built moped.

It must also have a VIN number which according to the law simply must be permanently affixed to the frame. Mabye the serial number would qualify? If not I don't know how but there are ways of obtaining VIN for home built vehicles. If you were prohibited from building you own vehicle that would be an outrage.

Check this out. It should help.
http://www.moped2.org/laws/Michigan.htm

And here is the law in black and white.
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/MOPED_requirements_102195_7.pdf

Long story short it may be a pain in the but but no matter what any ignorant government offical tells you this CAN be made legal.

 

[crlefley]

Michigan laws?

Well lucky for you, I actully got pulled over two days ago.

I turned onto a street and took my place on the shoulder, and when I looked back, the red and blues were flashin.

He told me "nice job trying to turn it off when you saw me".

He was on a motorcycle, and said that legally it's considered a "modified bicycle" not a "motor assisted bicycle" and that of didn't need to be registered.

He said he pulled me over because I had no helmet on. (I'm under 18)

He said, "if you follow the laws that any biker riding on the road has to follow (hand turn signals and other stuff) that nobody will bother you. "

So keep that helmet on and you'll be fine.

Crlefley.

 

[sourapplesfarm]

Laws in Michigan

Hi Red Piper. I also live in Michigan and was told pretty much the same thing at the S.O.S. They seemed really determined to not want to license my mb. I was told that I don't have a moped so I cannot license it as such. I then asked a State Trooper what he would do if he saw me going down the road on my mb. He asked how many cc's it was and of course I said 49, and he just giggled and said all he would do is think there goes a guy trying to save some money on gas. He wasn't sure if there was anything illegal or not. He did say that there are jerks out there that are going to pull you over. My plan is to ride safe, don't do anything stupid, and try to stay under the radar.

 

[mac66]

Since laws are prohibitive and not permissive anything not specifically prohibited is legal. I think you could argue that since you can't register a motorized bike as a moped, it is not a moped. If it was a moped you would be allowed to register it as such. Consequently, by the state's actions i.,e not recognizing a motorized bike as a moped and it is not specifically prohibited, it is legal.

 

[HoughMade]

Oh boy. I will love to see the outcome of that argument in court.

 

[mac66]

Oh boy. I will love to see the outcome of that argument in court.

Ha, I am not saying you would win but that is the tact your lawyer would take. The other thing would be to try it out on the cop who stopped you.

You could always say "officer, I read the moped law, I even went to the secretary of state office and called the state police to try and license it. They said they can't license my bicycle as a moped because it is a bicycle. Instead of writing me a ticket and make me prove my bike is bike in court, why don't you go back to the station and check around first. You can always find me if it turns out that there is some law prohibiting a bike from having a motor on it. If that turns out to be the case I would be happy to comply with it. In fact, can I call you at the station in a couple days to see what you found out?"

The point is that you don't want to come off as some street corner lawyer. You want to come off as a conscientious citizen who is trying to do the right thing and is trying to save money on gas, but is exasperated by the ambiguous laws.

 

[TheColbyJack]

I live in GR, Michigan.

Got pulled over a few weeks ago by the GRPD and was told I needed to register the bike as a moped. The officer knew what he was talking about. He assured me he's seen them before, and they are street legal as long as they've got a moped sticker on them.

The SOS agrees - as long as you have a headlight, you're golden.

 

[machiasmort]

Oh boy. I will love to see the outcome of that argument in court.

He's basically in the same boat I am. NY is even tougher. They have provisions for class C moped here. Short of lieing on the forms (buying a class C) and saying I modified it. I can't get my bike registered.

I'm wondering whats the worst I can be charged with? Insurance is not required for class C, I don't believe?

Unregistered MV?

 

[machiasmort]

Guide to Limited-use Motorcycle Requirements
Class Determined by Range of Top Speed
A Over 30 mph to 40 mph
B Over 20 mph to 30 mph
C 20 mph or less
License/Permit Required Class M/MJ 1 Any Class 1 Any Class 1
Registration Required? YES YES YES
Headlight on When Operating? YES YES YES
Helmet and Eye Protection Required? YES YES Recommended
May Operate On Any Traffic Lane Right-hand Lane or Shoulder Only 2 Right-hand Lane or Shoulder Only 2
Insurance Required? YES YES Recommended 3
Inspection Required? YES Recommended Recommended
Title Required? NO NO NO
Learner permit restrictions apply to all permit classes. Junior operator restrictions apply to class DJ and MJ permits and driver licenses. See Learner Permits and Junior Licenses.
Except when making a left turn.
Class C moped used in a rental business must be insured.

 

[machiasmort]

A good friend of mine is a retired cop here in NY.

After pleading w/me not to ride my bike, I explained again, the 3rd time...

I could pedal normal w/motor running. The motor powers the lights! This time I think he realized what I was saying. He laughed and shook his head. I didn't know you could pedal w/motor running.

Curse the thought, I just wonder what they could conjure up, charge wise?