On A Bicycle
MCL 257.657 — a driver's rights, the right edge, and 3 feet to pass
In Michigan, each person riding a bicycle on a roadway has all the rights and duties of the driver of a vehicle, except the special regulations and provisions that by their nature do not apply.
Where on the road. Below the speed of traffic, a rider stays as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge, except when passing, preparing to turn left, avoiding conditions that make the edge unsafe or unusable, going straight from a lane where traffic turns right, or on a one-way street with 2 or more marked lanes.
3 feet to pass. A driver passing a bicycle going the same direction passes at a safe distance of at least 3 feet to the left, or if that is impracticable, at a safe distance and a safe speed, and may pass a bicycle in a no-passing zone when it is safe. A violation is a civil infraction.
- Between 1/2 hour after sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise, a white front lamp visible from at least 500 feet and a red rear reflector visible from 100 to 600 feet.
- A brake that can make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionA car may never cross a no-passing line to get around a bike | What the law actually doesIt may pass a bicycle in a no-passing zone when it is safe |
| The assumptionCyclists must stay right in every lane | What the law actually doesNot when going straight from a lane where traffic turns right |
Local ordinances on sidewalks, paths and bicycle registration are not all on this page. How these rules apply to a particular crash or ticket is a question for a licensed Michigan attorney.
Sources for this section (4)
- MCL 257.657 — Rights and duties of persons riding bicycles
- MCL 257.660a — Operation of bicycle upon highway or street; riding close to right-hand curb
- MCL 257.662 — Bicycle equipment: lamps, reflectors and brakes
- MCL 257.636 — Overtaking and passing; overtaking a bicycle proceeding in same direction
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Michigan attorney.