Electric bikes, also known as e-bikes, are bicycles that are equipped with a seat or paddle, fully operable pedals, and an electric motor of 750 watts or less. E-bikes are used for both transportation and recreational purposes. They make biking more accessible by allowing people to get around efficiently and affordably while supporting local economies.

Electric Bike Classification Under Michigan Law

Under Michigan law, a person riding an e-bike is subject to the same requirements and regulations as a person riding a bicycle. Michigan has created a three-class system that defines the different types of e-bikes. A class 1 e-bike is equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling. The motor disengages when the bike reaches 20 miles per hour. A class 2 e-bike is equipped with a motor that propels the bike whether the rider is pedaling or not. The motor disengages when the brakes are applied or when the throttle is released and can only travel up to 20 miles per hour. A class 3 e-bike is equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling. The motor disengages when the bike reaches 28 miles per hour. These classifications are used to determine how e-bikes are regulated.

Current Electric Bike Laws and Regulations

Under Michigan law, manufacturers and distributors must permanently put labels onto e-bikes that indicate the classification number, wattage, and top assisted speed. Additionally, if an e-bike motor is modified in a way that changes its original classification or increases its wattage above 750 it can no longer be considered an e-bike. Any bike that falls outside of the standard e-bike definition is not considered an e-bike and may be treated as a motor vehicle. This includes bikes that have motors that exceed 750 watts, can go over 28 miles per hour, lack fully operable pedals, and bikes that function more like a throttle-powered vehicle. These types of bikes may not be allowed on bike paths or trails and can create safety concerns.

There are no age restrictions for class 1 and 2 e-bikes, but class 3 e-bikes have a minimum age requirement of 14. E-bike users are expected to follow the same traffic rules as traditional bicycles including obeying traffic signals, riding with traffic, and yielding for pedestrians. It is also recommended that e-bike riders use audible signals when passing others and slow down when passing or near other trail users. Some local municipalities require that e-bike riders wear helmets, otherwise they are not required but highly recommended.

Bicycles and e-bikes must have a lamp on the front that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet from dusk to dawn. They must also have a red reflector on the back that is visible from 100 feet to 600 feet. A bicycle must also be equipped with a break that allows a person to make the wheels skid on dry, level and clean pavement. A person who violates these laws are responsible for a civil infraction.

Where are Electric Bikes Permitted?

Electric bikes are typically allowed anywhere regular bicycles are permitted such as roads, bike lanes, and shoulders. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has its own regulations for e-bikes on DNR-managed trails. Class 1 e-bikes are allowed in state parks, recreation areas, and state forest pathways except for some areas within the Pigeon River Country. Class 2 e-bikes are allowed in all areas accessible to class 1 e-bikes if the rider has a DNR-issued permit. Class 3 e-bikes are not allowed on any state-managed trail. E-bike users should always check local rules and regulations before riding an e-bike on public roadways or recreational trails.

Can I Use an Electric Bike with A Suspended License?

Yes. Current Michigan law classifies e-bikes as bicycles, not motor vehicles. Therefore, users do not need a license, registration, or insurance to operate an e-bike. Michigan laws are constantly evolving so be sure to stay up to date on changes regarding the classification of electric bicycles.

What Criminal Charges Could I Face When Using an Electric Bike?

E-bike users can face several criminal charges while riding an e-bike such as operating while intoxicated, operating while visibly impaired, reckless driving, and careless driving. Although e-bikes are not classified as “motor vehicles” they do fit into the broader definition of a “vehicle.” Under Michigan law a vehicle is a device that transports people and are not exclusively moved by human power. Since e-bikes transport people and are not exclusively moved by human power they are considered vehicles.

The laws governing operating while intoxicated, operating while visibly impaired, reckless driving, and careless driving use the term “vehicle,” rather than “motor vehicle,” meaning that e-bikes are included among the types of vehicles subject to these laws and their associated penalties. Michigan courts have previously found people guilty of these crimes while using a snowmobile and an electric scooter. Since there hasn’t been a case involving an e-bike there are no exact standards for the consequences following these crimes.

If you’ve been charged with a crime while riding an e-bike, or have questions about how Michigan’s vehicle laws apply to your situation, don’t wait to get answers, contact the Law Office of John Freeman to learn about your rights and options.

Sources:

Michigan Legislature (MCL 257.662, MCL 257.662a)

Michigan Department of Natural Resources;

League of Michigan Bicyclists

This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws are subject to change, and the information provided may not reflect the most current legal developments. If you have questions about a specific legal situation, please consult with a licensed attorney.

Recently, new species were added to the invasive species list in Michigan.  This addition makes it illegal to sell, import, and introduce the species. There are different consequences for a violation involving a restricted species versus a prohibited species. A violation involving a restricted species is a misdemeanor and results in potential imprisonment for not more than two years. There may also be a fine between $1,000 and $10,000. A violation involving a prohibited species is a felony and results in potential imprisonment for not more than two years. There may also be a fine between $2,000 and $20,000.

The new invasive species include the water-hyacinth, water lettuce, Japanese barberry, glossy buckthorn, callery pear, and common buckthorn.

Invasive Species

Invasive species are those that are not native and whose introduction causes harm, or is likely to cause harm to the economy, environment, or human health. Invasive species harm ecosystems by rapidly reproducing and spreading, allowing them to outcompete native species and disrupt the natural balance of the ecosystem.

Invasive Species Program

Michigan’s Department of Agricultural and Rural Development (MDARD) created the Invasive Species Program to protect the state’s natural resources, agriculture, and economy. The program focuses on early detection, rapid response, and management of invasive species. This approach involves the use of Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), federal partners, local governments, tribal communities, and the public.

The Invasive Species Program aims to prevent introductions of invasive species, detect and identify new infestations, and respond rapidly to contain and eradicate harmful species before they spread. The program prevents the introduction of invasive species through education and community outreach. It supports public awareness campaigns to ensure that the public understands the risks of invasive species and take proactive measures. The program also uses advanced diagnostics and monitoring to detect and identify new infestations.

The Invasive Species Program provides a list of prohibited and restricted species in the state of Michigan. There is also information that includes details for identifying invasive species and instructions on how to report them.

New Invasive Species

MDARD determines that a species is invasive by utilizing the Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) set out by the United States Department of Agriculture. The WRA reviews scientific literature to determine the likelihood of a plant becoming established and spreading. It also examines the potential impacts that the species might have on the environment, human health, and production systems.

Once a species is identified as invasive, MDARD classifies the species as either restricted or prohibited. Restricted species are those that are established in the state and have the potential to harm human health or to severely harm natural and agricultural resources. Prohibited species are those that are not widely distributed in the state and have the potential to harm human health or to severely harm natural and agricultural resources.  

On May 20, 2026, Michigan’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) added six invasive species to the list of prohibited and restricted species. The new invasive species include the water-hyacinth, water lettuce, Japanese barberry, glossy buckthorn, callery pear, and common buckthorn.

The water-hyacinth and water lettuce were classified as prohibited species because they are non-native and have a high risk of being a major invader. They also have a high potential to cause harm to human health or to severely harm natural and agricultural resources. The Japanese barberry, glossy buckthorn, callery pear, and common buckthorn were classified as restricted species because they are distributed in Michigan and have a high risk of being a major invader. They also have a high potential to cause harm to human health or to severely harm natural and agricultural resources.

The prohibited species are restricted 30 days after the order is signed. The water-hyacinth and water lettuce will be restricted starting June 19, 2026. The restricted species, Japanese barberry, glossy buckthorn, callery pear, and common buckthorn, will be restricted beginning January 1, 2028.

Bottom Line

Know your plants!  Otherwise, you could land on law enforcement’s radar and possibly face serious consequences.  At the Law Office of John Freeman, we can help if you run into a problem. Contact us today.

What Counts as Justified Force in Michigan?

Justified force rests on what a reasonable person would have believed in your shoes, facing the same danger. The threat must be immediate, not one that already passed or might come later, and you cannot be the one who started the fight. Because your belief must be both honest and reasonable, a jury carefully weighs the facts that you faced.

The Line Between Deadly and Non-Deadly Force

Deadly force carries the highest legal threshold in Michigan. The distinction turns on the level of harm you reasonably believed was imminent at the time of the incident.

The line between lawful action and criminal liability generally depends on the circumstances, including the following:

• Justified: A reasonable fear of imminent death or great bodily harm.
• Justified: A reasonable fear of imminent sexual assault.
• Not justified: A threat that has already ended or moved away.
• Not justified: Force used only to protect property or possessions.

Standing Your Ground Inside Your Home

Your home gets extra protection. Even when the broader self-defense law does not apply, Michigan Compiled Laws say you have no duty to retreat before using deadly force inside your own dwelling or its curtilage, the yard around it. That reach into the curtilage is something many summaries leave out.

What Tips a Justified Act Into a Crime?

The very same incident can be read as a lawful defense or as a violent assault, depending on what you did and exactly when you did it. A handful of moves tend to push an otherwise justified act over the edge:

• Chasing or attacking after the threat ended
• Using far more force than was required for the danger
• Starting the fight without clearly backing out
• Defending property with deadly force
• Acting while armed and intoxicated

In Metro Detroit, a felony case like this usually starts with a preliminary examination in district court, where a judge decides if the evidence even supports sending it forward. A focused defense at that early hearing can sometimes end a self-defense case before it ever reaches a jury.

Get a Defense That Fits a Split-Second Decision

When the difference between a lawful defense and a felony comes down to a few seconds, you want someone who has seen these cases from every angle.

The Law Office of John Freeman has worked in Michigan and federal criminal courts for 30 years, and as a Michigan self-defense lawyer, John Freeman defends clients throughout Metro Detroit and the state. Call (248) 519-2313 for a free phone consultation, or contact us online to plan your next move.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”) recently approved several major changes to Michigan’s deer hunting regulations for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. These changes will significantly impact hunters across the state, particularly with the elimination of the firearm zone restriction in the Lower Peninsula in 2026 and the implementation of a new one-buck harvest limit beginning in 2027.

For hunters, understanding these changes is important not only for compliance, but also to avoid potential criminal or licensing consequences for violating Michigan’s hunting laws. As a hunter himself, Mr. Freeman understands. You need a law firm that understands both the legal side of hunting regulations and the realities hunters face in the field.

Major Changes to Michigan’s 2026 Deer Hunting Regulations

Some of the most significant changes for the 2026 deer season include:

• Elimination of the Limited Firearm Deer Zone in the Lower Peninsula. Hunters in the Lower Peninsula will now be permitted to use all legal firearms, including rifles with bottleneck cartridges, throughout the region. Previously, many areas restricted hunters to limited firearms such as shotguns or straight-walled cartridges. Firearms larger than a .22 rimfire will now be permitted statewide.
• Reduction of the muzzleloader season. The statewide muzzleloader season will be shortened from 10 days to three days and will begin on the first Friday in December. In the Lower Peninsula, hunters may use any legal firearm during this season, which will now be called the “December Firearm Deer Season.”
• Changes to antlerless hunting in the Upper Peninsula. The antlerless access drawing system will be eliminated, and Deer Management Units (“DMUs”) 351 and 352 have been rescinded. Hunters in the Upper Peninsula will only be permitted to use universal antlerless licenses in specified DMUs during the 2026 season.
• Elimination of late hunting seasons. Michigan will eliminate the Extended Late Antlerless Season and the January Archery Season, resulting in all deer hunting seasons ending after January 1.
• New limits on antlerless licenses. The DNR will now have authority to establish limits on the number of universal antlerless licenses hunters may use within certain DMUs or counties.
• Changes to the Early Antlerless Firearm Season. The DNR has made several changes to deer hunting regulations in recent years, and the information currently available on its website appears to contain conflicting dates. In a DNR announcement outlining the 2026 deer season regulations, the agency states that the Liberty Hunt and Early Antlerless Firearm Season will run concurrently on September 12–13, 2026. However, the Deer Hunting Season Calendar published on the DNR website lists different dates, indicating that the Liberty Hunt will take place September 12–13, 2026, while the Early Antlerless Firearm Season will occur September 19–20, 2026. Hunters should monitor DNR updates for clarification regarding the applicable season dates. See the screenshots below as they indicate this conflicting information.

Michigan Dep’t of Nat. Res., Natural Resources Commission Approves Deer Regulation Changes for 2026 and 2027 (May 15, 2026).

Michigan Dep’t of Nat. Res., Hunting Season Calendar

Michigan’s New One-Buck Rule Beginning in 2027

One of the most significant regulation changes beginning in 2027 is Michigan’s new statewide one-buck harvest in the Lower Peninsula.

Under the new regulation:

• A hunter will only be permitted to harvest one antlered deer per license year in the Lower Peninsula.
• A single deer license will be valid for one deer with at least three antler points on one side or for one antlerless deer.
• A deer combination license will allow hunters to harvest one antlered deer and one antlerless deer, or two antlerless deer.
• Existing DMU-specific antler point restrictions will remain in place.

Is the Michigan DNR Legally Allowed to Make These Changes?

Yes. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources possesses broad authority under Michigan law to regulate wildlife management and hunting throughout the state.

 The DNR is a principal executive department created by statute and is responsible for managing and protecting Michigan’s natural resources. The agency operates under the authority of the Natural Resource Commission (“NRC”), which possesses delegated rulemaking authority under Michigan law.

The NRC is a seven-member public body appointed by the Governor. The Commission has authority to adopt hunting regulations, including deer season structures, firearm restrictions, licensing requirements, and harvest limitations. Unfortunately, it seems like politics is a factor in how they operate.

The DNR has the authority to protect, preserve, and manage lands under its control. The DNR operates under the NRC and is responsible for implementing numerous statutory mandates concerning wildlife, forest, parks, waterways, and environmental protection.

Because these regulations carry the force of law, hunters should remain informed regarding the new rules before the 2026 and 2027 hunting seasons begin. Otherwise, you can unintentionally become a criminal defendant.

Contact Michigan’s Outdoor Lawyer Today

Questions about Michigan’s new hunting regulations? Facing hunting related charges or licensing issues? The Law Office of John Freeman understands both the law and the hunting community. With more than 30 years of legal experience and a lifelong background in hunting, John Freeman has the knowledge necessary to help hunters navigate Michigan’s changing regulations and defend against hunting related allegations. Contact us today for a free evaluation and legal consultation.

Michigan has issued warnings regarding the growing invasive threat posed by feral hogs spotted across rural areas of Michigan. So, what can you legally do to protect yourself against these wild hogs?

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”) advises the public to not approach feral swine. Instead, individuals should report the sighting, take a photo if it is safe to do so, and contact a local conservation officer. Of course, this advice assumes you are not a hunter.

Is There a Hog Hunting Season in Michigan?

Michigan is one of the twelve states that allows feral hogs to be killed year-round.  I have personally shot them in Texas and Tennessee, but never in Michigan. In Michigan, feral hogs are not treated as a traditional game species with a designated “hog season.” Instead, feral hogs may be shot during regular hunting hours while an individual is lawfully participating in an open hunting season and otherwise complying with Michigan hunting laws and local firearm ordinances.

Why Michigan Regulates Feral Swine Differently

Michigan treats feral swine differently from traditional game animals because they are considered an invasive species that can damage crops, spread disease, and harm native wildlife populations. As a result, the state’s laws are focused more on eradication and control rather than conservation.

Michigan law allows certain individuals to kill feral swine under limited circumstances. What does this actually mean? Michigan law grants broad authority to animal control officers and law enforcement officers to kill swine running at large on public or private properties.

When Private Citizens May Kill Feral Swine

Does the law grant private citizens this right? Yes, but only under certain circumstances.

A private citizen may kill feral swine if they possess either:

• A valid concealed pistol license (CPL), or
• A valid Michigan Hunting license.

However, the rules differ depending on the location of the swine.

On public property, qualifying private citizens may kill swine running at large. On private property, however, a person may only kill the swine if they:

• Own or lease the property.
• Have permission from the owner or lessee, or
• Are accompanying the owner or lessee.

Important Limitation Under Michigan Law

Even though Michigan law permits the killing of feral swine under certain circumstances, it does not override local firearm discharge or hunting ordinances.

For example, if a city or township prohibits the discharge of firearms or bans hunting with certain weapons in a particular area, individuals must still comply with those local restrictions. A person cannot legally fire a weapon in an area where local ordinances prohibit it, even when attempting to remove feral swine.

The unauthorized killing of swine may subject an individual to penalties pursuant to MCL 324.40118. Violations may result in misdemeanor charges, fines, possible jail time, court costs, and revocation of hunting privileges.

Questions About Other Hunting Rules and Regulations?

It is important to stay informed about what is classified as an invasive species under Michigan law and to understand the legal restrictions surrounding feral swine removal. That’s why we encourage you to research these matters to avoid running into legal trouble with state or local officials.

If you have additional questions regarding hunting or fishing laws, attorney John Freeman can discuss your specific circumstances and help answer your questions regarding Michigan’s hunting and fishing regulations.