2010 Michigan Compiled Laws
Chapter 257 - MOTOR VEHICLES
Act 300 of 1949 - MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE (257.1 - 257.923)
300-1949-VI - CHAPTER VI OBEDIENCE TO AND EFFECT OF TRAFFIC LAWS (257.601...257.750)
300-1949-VI-OPERATION-OF-BICYCLES-MOTORCYCLES-AND-TOY-VEHICLES - OPERATION OF BICYCLES, MOTORCYCLES AND TOY VEHICLES (257.656...257.662)
Section 257.658 - Riding on seat of bicycle, motorcycle, or moped; number of persons; crash helmets; rules; requirements for autocycle.

Sec. 658.

(1) A person propelling a bicycle or operating a motorcycle or moped shall not ride other than upon and astride a permanent and regular seat attached to that vehicle.

(2) A bicycle or motorcycle shall not be used to carry more persons at 1 time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.

(3) A moped or an electric personal assistive mobility device shall not be used to carry more than 1 person at a time.

(4) A person operating or riding on a motorcycle, and any person less than 19 years of age operating a moped on a public thoroughfare shall wear a crash helmet on his or her head. Crash helmets shall be approved by the department of state police. The department of state police shall promulgate rules for the implementation of this section pursuant to the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328. Rules in effect on June 1, 1970, shall apply to helmets required by this act. This subsection does not apply to a person operating or riding in an autocycle if the vehicle is equipped with a roof which meets or exceeds standards for a crash helmet.

(5) A person operating or riding in an autocycle shall wear seat belts when on a public highway in this state.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1959, Act 260, Eff. Mar. 19, 1960 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 207, Eff. Mar. 10, 1967 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 141, Imd. Eff. June 12, 1968 ;-- Am. 1969, Act 118, Eff. Sept. 1, 1969 ;-- Am. 1969, Act 134, Eff. June 1, 1970 ;-- Am. 1970, Act 24, Imd. Eff. June 1, 1970 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 439, Imd. Eff. Jan. 13, 1977 ;-- Am. 1983, Act 91, Imd. Eff. June 16, 1983 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 328, Imd. Eff. Dec. 26, 1984 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 494, Imd. Eff. July 3, 2002
Constitutionality: The legislature may reasonably require that helmets be worn with a view to mitigating potential civil and criminal liability of drivers who collide with motorcycles. People v Poucher, 398 Mich 316; 247 NW2d 798 (1976).
Popular Name: Helmet Law
Admin Rule: R 28.901 et seq. and R 28.951 et seq. of the Michigan Administrative Code.