Is Lane Splitting Legal in Michigan?
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The short answer: no
Lane splitting is not legal in Michigan. If you ride between two lanes of cars to get past traffic, you can get a ticket.
But the ticket is not the biggest risk. The bigger problem shows up if you crash. An insurance company can use the fact that you were lane splitting to blame you for the accident. That can shrink what you recover, or wipe out part of your claim entirely.
So if you ride in Michigan, this is worth five minutes. Here's what the law says, why it matters, and what to do if you've already been hurt.
What counts as lane splitting?
People use a few terms that sound alike. They are not the same thing, and only one of them is allowed in Michigan.
Term | What it means | Legal in Michigan? |
|---|---|---|
Lane splitting | Riding between lanes of moving traffic, usually on the dotted line | No |
Lane filtering | Moving between stopped or very slow cars, often to the front at a red light | No |
Lane sharing | Two motorcycles riding side by side in the same lane | Yes, up to two riders abreast |
Passing in the same lane | Squeezing past a car while staying inside its lane | No |
The takeaway: in Michigan, a motorcycle gets a full lane, just like a car. You can share that lane with one other motorcycle. You can't share it with a car, and you can't ride on the line between lanes.
What Michigan law actually says
The rule lives in the Michigan Vehicle Code, in a section that covers how motorcycles use the road (MCL 257.660). In plain terms, it says three things:
- No riding between lanes. Subsection (5) says a motorcyclist "shall not pass between lines of traffic." If you want to pass, you have to do it in an open lane: on the left on a two-way street, or on either side on a one-way street.
- You get the whole lane. Subsection (2) says a motorcycle is entitled to full use of a lane, and drivers can't crowd you out of it.
- Two side by side, max. Subsection (3) says no more than two motorcycles can ride next to each other.
What happens if you get caught
Lane splitting is a civil infraction. That's a non-criminal traffic violation, like most speeding tickets. You won't go to jail for it, but you can pay a fine plus court costs, and it can add points to your driving record. Points can push up your insurance rates.
Fine amounts differ from court to court, so check the ticket or call the court listed on it.
"But traffic was stopped"
This is the most common question we hear. Michigan law doesn't make an exception for stopped traffic, hot weather, or a long red light. Filtering to the front at a light still means passing between lines of traffic, and it's still a violation.
How lane splitting can hurt your injury claim
Here's where the stakes get real. If you crash while lane splitting, the other driver's insurer will almost certainly argue the crash was your fault. Sometimes they're partly right. Often they stretch it.
Michigan's "51% rule"
Michigan uses something called modified comparative fault. That's a fancy way of saying blame gets split up by percentage, and your money shrinks to match.
- Economic losses (things with a price tag, like lost pay beyond what no-fault covers) are cut by your share of the blame. Found 30% at fault? You get 70%.
- Pain and suffering works differently. If you're found more than 50% at fault, you can't recover it at all.
That second point is why lane splitting matters so much. It hands the insurance company an easy argument to push you over that 50% line.
Lane splitting doesn't automatically make you at fault
Breaking a traffic rule is evidence of fault. It isn't the whole story. A driver who swerved without signaling, was texting, or was drunk can still carry most of the blame. The details matter: where you were, how fast you were going, and what the other driver did.
What about no-fault benefits?
Michigan's no-fault system works a little differently for riders. If a motorcycle crash involves a car or truck, you can usually get no-fault benefits for medical bills and lost wages, even if you were partly to blame. There are exceptions, so it's worth reading up on how no-fault covers motorcyclists or talking to a lawyer.
Where lane splitting is legal
If you've ridden out West, you may have seen riders splitting lanes without a second look. A handful of states now allow it in some form.
State | What's allowed |
|---|---|
California | Lane splitting, the only state where it's fully legal by statute |
Utah | Lane filtering, only when traffic is stopped and on certain roads |
Montana | Lane filtering at low speeds |
Arizona | Lane filtering between stopped vehicles on some roads |
Colorado | Lane filtering between stopped vehicles |
Minnesota | Lane filtering at low speeds |
Each state sets its own speed limits and road rules, and these laws keep changing. Bills to allow filtering have come up in Michigan before, but none has become law. Until that changes, Michigan riders stay in their lane.
Riding in another state? Check that state's current rules before you go.
Staying safe in heavy traffic
Sitting in stop-and-go traffic on a bike is no fun. A few habits make it safer while keeping you legal:
- Pick your spot in the lane. Ride slightly to the left or right so the driver ahead can see you in their mirror.
- Leave room in front. Give yourself space to move if someone behind you isn't stopping.
- Watch the mirrors at stops. Rear-end crashes are a real danger for riders at red lights.
- Be seen. Bright gear and a working headlight help drivers notice you. Here's more on Michigan's motorcycle gear laws.
If you were hurt in a crash
Whether or not lane splitting was involved, the first few days after a crash matter a lot.
- Get medical care right away, even if you feel okay.
- Call the police and get a copy of the crash report.
- Take photos of the scene, your bike, and your injuries.
- Get names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
- Don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer before talking to a lawyer.
- Stay off social media about the crash.
And keep the deadlines in mind. Michigan has time limits for motorcycle injury claims, and some no-fault deadlines are as short as one year.
Quick answers to common questions
Can I filter to the front at a red light in Michigan? No. Michigan law says riders can't pass between lines of traffic, and that applies even when cars are stopped.
Can two motorcycles ride side by side in one lane? Yes. Michigan allows up to two motorcycles abreast in a single lane.
Can I ride on the shoulder to get around traffic? Generally no. Passing on the shoulder is not allowed for regular traffic in Michigan, and that includes motorcycles.
If I was lane splitting, can I still get money for my injuries? Possibly. It depends on how much of the blame falls on you. If the other driver was mostly at fault, you may still have a strong claim.
Is lane splitting going to become legal in Michigan? Not right now. Lawmakers have floated the idea, but nothing has passed. We'll update this page if that changes.
Talk to someone who handles these cases
If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash, don't let an insurance adjuster decide who's to blame. A Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer can look at what really happened and push back when the blame is unfair.
The Law Offices of Lee Steinberg offers a free consultation, and you don't pay unless we win. Call 1-800-LEE-FREE to talk about your case.
This article is for general information only and isn't legal advice. Laws change, so talk with a lawyer about your specific situation.
