Grand Rapids Embraces Scooters But Knows The Rules

Electric scooters are every where. You see them throughout downtown Grand Rapids, and now I am seeing them in many surrounding neighborhoods. A lot of people, mostly younger, scooting about.

Here in Grand Rapids Lime scooters and e-bikes have been around since 2020 when the city began their pilot program to see if the service was needed. It caught on and had to be scaled up to now more than 750 scooters and e-bikes.

But, are you aware that Michigan does have laws covering the scooters and bikes?

According to Michigan Auto Law, a client of Townsquare Media, these are things you need to know.

First of all, amazingly there aren't any e-scooter laws in Michigan!  Crazy as it sounds, they are covered under something different, the electric skateboard law. Huh?

Yes, the e-scooter is considered an electric skateboard.....with handle bars! Go figure!

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Okay, so what are the laws/regulations?

The Michigan Auto Law folks spell it out for you.

Do I need insurance for electric scooters?

No. Under Michigan electric scooter laws, only vehicles that qualify as a “motor vehicle” as that term is defined in Michigan’s No-Fault auto insurance law must be covered by car insurance.

Do the laws affect a person’s No-Fault benefits?

Yes and No. Only an accident with a motor vehicle  would qualify for no-fault benefits.

Must I follow the rules of the road?

Yes. The Michigan electric scooter laws state that anyone who rides an electric scooter (or electric skateboard) on a Michigan road “has all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle.

What about allowing passengers to ride?

No! The Michigan electric scooter laws state that a scooter or electric skateboard “shall not be used to carry more than 1 person at a time.”

Do you need wear a helmet for an electric scooter?

Only if you are under 19 years of age do you need to “wear a crash helmet on his or her head.”

Is there an age limit for riding on electric scooters?

Yes. Kids under 12 cannot ride an electric scooter or electric skateboard “on a public highway or street.”

Can you drive an electric scooter on the road?

Yes, but, you must do the following:

• Drive the electric scooter as far to the right side of the road as possible.
• Not ride more than 2 abreast.
• Use a designated path when required by a local ordinance to do so.
• Not pass between lanes of traffic.

Can you drive an electric scooter on the sidewalk?

Yes. However, you must “yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian” and you must “give an audible signal before overtaking and passing the pedestrian.”

Is there a speed limit under Michigan electric scooter laws?

An electric scooter or electric skateboard cannot be driven at more than 25 mph.

What about parking?

There are different rules depending on whether you’re parking on a sidewalk or on the street:

• Sidewalk: You can park your electric scooter or electric skateboard “equipped with handlebars” on a sidewalk so long as it doesn’t impede “the lawful movement of pedestrians or other traffic.”
• On the street: You can park your electric scooter or electric skateboard on the street wherever cars and trucks can park.

Are lights required on electric scooters?

Yes.

There, that should help. Be careful out there!