The Michigan Vehicle Code does not require bicyclists to ride on the sidewalk in Michigan and we do not recommend it because of safety hazards to the bicyclist and other sidewalk users.

However, Section 257.660c of the MVC says:

(1) “An individual operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk or a pedestrian crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to pedes­trians and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian.”

(2) “An individual shall not operate a bicycle upon a sidewalk or a pedestrian crosswalk if that operation is prohibited by an official traffic control device.”

(3) “An individual lawfully operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk or a pedestrian crosswalk has all of the rights and responsibilities applicable to a pedestrian using that sidewalk or crosswalk.”

No. In Michigan, the Michigan Vehicle Code no longer prohibits “passing between lanes of traffic,” but it also does not provide for cyclists passing on the right of other vehicles. The purpose of this law is to protect the safety of the bicyclist as well as Michigan drivers, preventing Michigan car-bicycle accidents.

Yes. Section 257.657 of the Michigan Vehicle Code states:

“Each person riding a bicycle in Michigan upon a roadway has all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this chapter, except as to special regulations in this article and except as to the provisions of this chapter which by their nature do not have application.”