Is riding between lanes legal for motorcyclists in Michigan?

The further north I drove when I moved to Michigan, the more motorcyclists without helmets I saw. You are brave. Motorcyclists are built differently up here, for better or for worse.

On that note, it seems every time I drive in Detroit, the wildest driver I’ve ever encountered is replaced by a new one. Sometimes that’s motorcyclists. We’re all driving way too fast on I-94, and then someone on a typical “crotch rocket” motorcycle squeezes through to pass, driving their adrenaline to new heights and my anxiety to a level not often aided by a second party.

There are some motorcycle laws that fascinate me. Although I don’t personally know anyone who rides a motorcycle, I had a relative as a child who was seriously injured on a motorcycle. We weren’t particularly close, but it somehow sticks in my mind that you should watch out for motorcycles and give them the space and attention they need to be safe on the roads.

What better way to ensure the safety of two-wheeled riders than to know what rules they follow when they’re out on the road with us? We’ll get into more motorcycle laws in a moment, but first let’s answer the real question: Is riding between lanes legal in Michigan?

For those who may not be familiar with the term, “lane splitting” is the technical term for drivers who move while traffic around them is also moving, as described by JD Power. Here is an example:

This is not to be confused with filtering, which is quite similar to the video above. Filtering involves moving between stopped vehicles to reach the front of an intersection with stopped traffic and avoid being trapped between vehicles in a dangerous situation.

Either way, it’s stressful. But is driving between lanes legal in Michigan?

No, it is not. According to Michigan Vehicle Code Section 257.660(5), it states:

(5) A person operating a motorcycle, moped, slow-moving vehicle, electric personal assistive mobility device or electric skateboard shall not overtake between the lines of traffic; however, he or she may overtake on the left of traffic in his or her direction in two-lane roads and on the left or right of traffic in one-way roads in an unoccupied lane.

But that’s not as surprising as you might think. In five states, driving between lanes is legal: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Montana, and Utah. In 11 states and Washington DC, the practice is unregulated. In the rest of the country, including the Mitten State, driving between lanes is illegal.

There is research that suggests riding between lanes is safer for motorcyclists, which has led to petitions like this one that aim to legalize riding in the many states where it is illegal, such as Michigan.

While changing lanes may initially come to mind as speeding at 100 mph on the highway, that’s not always the case. Drivers use it as a safety measure, just like when weaving through. Additionally, the bike doesn’t have to be balanced in stop-and-go traffic, which causes unnecessary fatigue for the rider and unnecessary gas consumption. There are a few other trivial benefits that speak to the advantages of a bike over a car, but these pale in comparison to the safety benefits.

Let’s look at some other laws and regulations that keep drivers safe in Michigan.