Laws by state / Michigan
Michigan
What Michigan's statutes say about riding each kind of personal electric vehicle. Local rules can be stricter.
E-bikes
How the law defines it: Three-class system: seat, working pedals, motor of 750 W or less. Class 1 (pedal assist) and Class 2 (throttle) stop at 20 mph; Class 3 (pedal assist) at 28 mph. Not a motor vehicle or moped.
Road
Allowed
Same requirements as bicycle riders; may ride on any part of a highway open to bicycles, including the shoulder.
Bike lane
Allowed
Allowed in lanes designated for bicycles.
Sidewalk
Allowed
Bicycles may use sidewalks unless a traffic control device prohibits it; riders must yield to pedestrians and signal before passing.
Paths and trails
Local rules decide
Class 1 allowed on paved, crushed-limestone and rail trails unless the managing agency restricts it. Class 2/3 only where the managing agency allows. Not allowed on natural-surface non-motorized trails unless the agency allows.
- Helmet
- Class 3: required for operators and passengers under 18. Not addressed for Class 1/2.
- Minimum age
- Class 3: 14 (younger riders may be passengers on a Class 3 built for one). None for Class 1/2.
- Speed limit or cap
- Motor assist stops at 20 mph (Class 1/2) or 28 mph (Class 3).
- Motor power cap
- 750 W
- License, registration, insurance
- Not a motor vehicle; no license or registration provisions apply.
- Also worth knowing
- Labels showing class, top assisted speed and wattage required since Jan. 1, 2018; a modified bike that exceeds class limits or 750 W is no longer an e-bike. Not allowed in cities that ban non-emergency motor vehicles (e.g. Mackinac Island) unless the city allows them.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: MCL 257.13e; MCL 257.33; MCL 257.662a; MCL 257.660c
- MCL 257.662a (Electric bicycles)
- MCL 257.13e (Electric bicycle definition)
- MCL 257.660c (Bicycles on sidewalks)
- MCL 257.33 (Motor vehicle)
E-scooters
How the law defines it: Stand-up e-scooters fall under "Electric skateboard": wheeled device with a floorboard to stand on (max 60 in. long, 18 in. wide), one rider, motor up to 2,500 W, top speed 25 mph or less. May have handlebars. Not a motor vehicle.
Road
Allowed with limits
Allowed on roads posted 45 mph or less (handlebar models) and must keep right; on faster roads only to cross. Local governments may regulate or ban them in some areas.
Bike lane
Local rules decide
Where a bike path runs next to the road, a local ordinance may require riders to use it.
Sidewalk
Local rules decide
Allowed; riders must yield to pedestrians and signal before passing. Local governments may regulate sidewalk use.
Paths and trails
Local rules decide
Local governments may ban them on waterfront pedestrian areas and trails; DNR may regulate them on state land.
- Helmet
- Required for riders under 19.
- Minimum age
- None in statute.
- Speed limit or cap
- 25 mph
- Motor power cap
- 2,500 W
- License, registration, insurance
- Not a motor vehicle; no license or registration provisions apply.
- Also worth knowing
- Michigan regulates e-scooters as electric skateboards with handlebars. They may be parked on sidewalks if they don't block pedestrians. Banned on Mackinac Island (special charter city and state park); may be banned in historic districts, downtowns and streets with streetcar tracks. One rider only. Front light and rear reflector after dark.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: MCL 257.13f; MCL 257.33; MCL 257.658(4); MCL 257.660; MCL 257.660d; MCL 257.662
- MCL 257.13f (Electric skateboard)
- MCL 257.660 (Operation rules)
- MCL 257.658 (Helmets)
- MCL 257.33 (Motor vehicle)
- MCL 257.660d (Parking)
Electric boards (incl. Onewheel-style)
How the law defines it: Electric skateboards and one-wheel boards: "Electric skateboard": wheeled device with a floorboard to stand on (max 60 in. long, 18 in. wide), one rider, motor up to 2,500 W, top speed 25 mph or less. May have handlebars. Not a motor vehicle.
Road
Allowed with limits
Allowed on roads posted 25 mph or less (models without handlebars) and must keep right; on faster roads only to cross. Local governments may regulate or ban them in some areas.
Bike lane
Local rules decide
Where a bike path runs next to the road, a local ordinance may require riders to use it.
Sidewalk
Local rules decide
Allowed; riders must yield to pedestrians and signal before passing. Local governments may regulate sidewalk use.
Paths and trails
Local rules decide
Local governments may ban them on waterfront pedestrian areas and trails; DNR may regulate them on state land.
- Helmet
- Required for riders under 19.
- Minimum age
- None in statute.
- Speed limit or cap
- 25 mph
- Motor power cap
- 2,500 W
- License, registration, insurance
- Not a motor vehicle; no license or registration provisions apply.
- Also worth knowing
- Banned on Mackinac Island (special charter city and state park); may be banned in historic districts, downtowns and streets with streetcar tracks. One rider only. Front light and rear reflector after dark.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: MCL 257.13f; MCL 257.33; MCL 257.658(4); MCL 257.660; MCL 257.662
- MCL 257.13f (Electric skateboard)
- MCL 257.660 (Operation rules)
- MCL 257.658 (Helmets)
- MCL 257.33 (Motor vehicle)
Electric unicycles
Not addressed in statute. We found no Michigan statute that covers this vehicle by name or by a definition that clearly fits it. That isn't permission: police and cities may treat it under another category. EPAMD covers only two-wheel self-balancing devices. The electric skateboard definition covers any wheeled device with a floorboard designed to be stood on; whether an electric unicycle's foot pedals count as a floorboard is not settled in statute.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: MCL 257.13c; MCL 257.13f
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