Cycle Laws By State By tomcat (Read 564 times)

[tomcat]

Was curious if fenders on a cycle/scoot/trike are a requirement in Michigan, in case I want to go "fenderless" when larger rear tires are installed on my trike this spring. Tried checking the Michigan DMV site but couldn't find any info.
Then stumbled across this:
msf-usa.org/downloads/Equipment_Chart_2011-MSFlogo.pdf
It's from 2011, I couldn't find a more current version but it's better than nothing.
At the very least, interesting info that other Forum Members might be able to use.
BTW, according to this, fenders are not required in Michigan so if I decide to ditch them, will carry a copy of this with me in case I get pulled over by uninformed law enforcement.

[scot]

I was thinking about takeing one off mine ,it has one directly over the tire very close it seems like the wrong bump could be an issue .the upper fender like a motorcycle,in the rear it realy serves no purpose so I thought its so close to the tire when I first got mine it was making noise had to tighten up a lot of bolts I think its only there for dirt,now od your scooter it make a diffrence if you take them all off ,the front one i would leave alone

[JR]

I haven't ever saw a requirement anywhere for fenders? But that doesn't mean that they may be by some states?

JR

[crazedfox]

Here:
.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0slcnwq5qbpj45ie4jzol045))/mileg.aspx?page=GetMclDocument&objectname=mcl-act-300-of-1949" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0slcnwq5qbpj45ie4jzol045))/mileg.aspx?page=GetMclDocument&objectname=mcl-act-300-of-1949

Now from reading both your findings & mine.
I don't see a law stating you need fenders.

But it is unwise to do so…
Aside from keeping water from splashing upward.

Will also stop road debris
from going where it shouldn't.

When I worked at tire shop,
I witnessed a plethora of WTF is
that doing in the tire! moments.

One doesn't want a 1/2-pound
chunk of metal flying at yer' skull.
That would ruin anybody's day.

I'd rather lose a tire & fender,
than play "road debris roulette".
_

[crazedfox]

Here:
.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0slcnwq5qbpj45ie4jzol045))/mileg.aspx?page=GetMclDocument&objectname=mcl-act-300-of-1949" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0slcnwq5qbpj45ie4jzol045))/mileg.aspx?page=GetMclDocument&objectname=mcl-act-300-of-1949

Now from reading both your findings & mine.
I don't see a law stating you need fenders.

But it is unwise to do so…
Aside from keeping water from splashing upward.

Will also stop road debris
from going where it shouldn't.

When I worked at tire shop,
I witnessed a plethora of WTF is
that doing in the tire! moments.

One doesn't want a 1/2-pound
chunk of metal flying at yer' skull.
That would ruin anybody's day.

I'd rather lose a tire & fender,
than play "road debris roulette".
_

[scot]

yes for me I would not think about takeing off the front .I think the main reason for the rear one is to keep water an dirt from getting up near the plate ,but most motorcycles don't have that I call it an extra fender,though he is talking about his trike so I guess tomcat wants to take them all off,as for my yy250 ,I think the trike looks cooler with them on,so for different scooters trikes ,,I would not take any one off except the one above the rear tire ,wich just seems to me it does not do much ,I try not to ride in rain,i think it like jr said there not to many laws ,depends on state you live in ,I live in I think one of 2 states that got no helmet law,but I personaly wear one ,for wind an head protection in case of an accident,the reason NH still has it ,couse the babey boomers our law makers all ride most Harleys,an that may change one day ,as every year the first thing we hear about late in march is the guy who slid on the sand under a school bus ,an did not make it ,or the car that hits a bunch of bikes at one time ,I think its just commen sence to wear one ,having been in a pretty serious accident in 2007 ,an my helmet sraped the ground

[wolfhound]

I am with crazed fox and Scot on this one. Keep the fenders on and wear the proper safety gear.

[tomcat]

I have a trike,,,,,, so road debris, water, etc, from the rear wheels isn't going to hit me in the back of the head.
No plans to remove the front fender.
My concern was with rear fender clearance after installing larger diameter tires on the axle, and if I had to go without fenders would it be legal here in Michigan. If you look at the attachment I posted there are States where fenders are required.
Appreciate all the input though.   : = )

[crazedfox]

No prob 'Tom.
As I said before, it looks fine to go "fender-less" in your state.

But if really wish to be sure, just ask an inspector at your local DMV/clerk's office.
When in a good mood they can be a valuable resource of info.
_

[scot]

yes the 2 outside ones I see why you want to ,you may be able to modify the fenders to fit with bigger tires .it may just be needing longer brackets ,on mine it just serves no purpose to me there the upper an lower ,got a friends got tao tao 50 all the 2 wheelers have them an its up 3/8ths inch away from the tire I think its just to close ,my honda fa 50 years ago just took it off ,it only mattered when you round through a puddle an you back would get wet ,those were very open to ,nothing like todays scooters but it was good this was when they were easy to work on