With Michigan’s warmer weather finally here, more people are getting back on their bikes. For many cyclists—especially commuters—that means riding in designated bike lanes or on the shoulders of busy roads.
Unfortunately, one of the most common complaints we hear from cyclists is about the condition of those bike lanes.
The concerns are often similar:
“The bike lane was supposed to make me safer, but riding in it actually feels more dangerous.”
Cyclists frequently encounter potholes, cracked pavement, broken glass, gravel, and other debris. In many cases, roads are regularly maintained for motor vehicle traffic while bike lanes and shoulders receive little attention. Sometimes debris is even pushed from the roadway into the very areas intended for bicycle travel.
So why does this keep happening?
Who Is Responsible for Maintaining Michigan Roads?
Roads in Michigan may fall under the jurisdiction of:
- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)
- County road commissions
- Cities
- Townships
Under Michigan law, the government agency responsible for a roadway has a duty to maintain it in reasonable repair so that it is “reasonably safe and convenient for public travel.”
At first glance, that sounds like cyclists should be able to expect safe, well-maintained bike lanes and shoulders. However, the law is more limited than most people realize.
The Legal Gap Affecting Bike Lanes and Shoulders
Michigan’s highway maintenance statute provides that a government agency may be liable when someone is injured because it failed to maintain a roadway in reasonable repair.
But the same law also limits that responsibility.
Specifically, the duty extends only to the “improved portion of the highway designed for vehicular travel.” The statute further states that the duty does not include sidewalks, trailways, crosswalks, or other areas outside that improved portion of the roadway.
The Michigan Supreme Court has also interpreted this language to exclude road shoulders. In other words, the legal duty to maintain a roadway generally extends only between the roadway’s edge lines—the portion intended primarily for motor vehicle travel.
As a result, many of the areas most commonly used by cyclists, including shoulders and some bicycle lanes, do not receive the same legal protection or maintenance obligations as the travel lanes used by cars and trucks.
Why This Matters to Cyclists
The practical effect is significant.
Many communities encourage bicycling by installing bike lanes or directing cyclists to ride on road shoulders. Yet these same areas often develop hazards that can make riding uncomfortable—or even dangerous.
Common hazards include:
- Potholes
- Uneven pavement
- Cracks and pavement deterioration
- Gravel and loose debris
- Broken glass
- Drainage issues
For cyclists, obstacles that may seem minor to a driver can create a serious crash risk.
What About Sidewalks?
Michigan law does impose certain maintenance responsibilities for sidewalks.
Municipalities generally have a duty to maintain sidewalks that run adjacent to municipal, county, or state highways. However, those obligations do not necessarily extend to bike lanes or road shoulders.
This distinction helps explain why a damaged sidewalk may receive attention while a deteriorating shoulder or bicycle lane remains unrepaired for extended periods of time.
What Can Cyclists Do?
Although the law may not require the same level of maintenance for bike lanes and shoulders, cyclists are not without options.
If you encounter hazardous conditions:
- Report the issue to the government agency responsible for the road.
- Document the condition with photographs.
- Encourage local officials to prioritize bicycle infrastructure maintenance.
- Work with local cycling advocacy organizations to raise awareness of recurring safety concerns.
Public reporting and community advocacy are often the most effective tools for improving conditions for cyclists.
The Bottom Line
Many cyclists are surprised to learn that Michigan law does not impose the same maintenance obligations for bike lanes and shoulders that it does for the travel lanes used by motor vehicles.
That legal distinction helps explain why hazardous conditions can persist in areas specifically intended for bicycle travel.
As more Michigan residents choose bicycling for transportation, recreation, and exercise, improving the maintenance of bike lanes and shoulders will remain an important part of creating safer roads for everyone.
