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Kent County, MI Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Paths only
Paved/designated paths, Section 18(B)(a)
Helmet required
Riders 14 and under, Section 18(B)(e)
Lights required
After dark, Section 18(B)(d)
Penalty
Civil infraction, $25-$500
Scope
County park property only
Enforced by
Kent County Sheriff's Department

Summary

Kent County's Parks Ordinance confines bicycles to paved roads and paths designated for riding, Section 18(B)(a), requires helmets for riders 14 and under, and lights after dark. Each is a municipal civil infraction fined $25 to $500. It governs county park property only, not on-street bike lanes.

City-specific rules exist: Grand Rapids has its own bike lane rules rules that differ from Kent County's county-level regulations. If you live in Grand Rapids, check the city-specific page instead.

It shall be unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle on other than a paved road or path designated for bicycle riding. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a bicycle after dark without an attached headlight, and without an attached tail light or reflector. ... It shall be unlawful for any person aged fourteen (14) years or younger to operate or be a passenger on a bicycle or tandem bicycle within a County park unless said person is wearing a protective bicycle helmet of good fit fastened securely upon the head with the attached straps. Said helmet shall meet or exceed the impact standards for protective bicycle helmets set by either the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or the Snell Foundation.

Full Breakdown

Section 18(B) of the Kent County Parks Ordinance sets out bicycle rules that apply inside county parks. Subsection (a) states it is unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle on other than a paved road or path designated for bicycle riding. Subsection (d) requires an attached headlight and an attached tail light or reflector for riding after dark. Subsection (e) requires any rider or passenger aged fourteen years or younger to wear a protective bicycle helmet of good fit fastened securely upon the head with the attached straps, meeting CPSC or Snell Foundation impact standards.

Subsection (f) requires cyclists to ride as closely as possible to the right-hand side of any road, trail or path, as conditions permit, and subsection (c) bars leaving a bike lying in a spot where other persons are likely to be injured by it, directing riders to use bike racks where available. Subsection (h) folds in Michigan's own bicycle statutes as a baseline. This is a park-use ordinance, not a general traffic code: it does not create or regulate on-street bike lanes outside county park property, which are governed instead by the Michigan Vehicle Code and by the city or township that owns the street.

Section 37(b) makes every subsection of Section 18(B) a municipal civil infraction, fined $25 to $500, enforced by the Kent County Sheriff's Department under Section 36.

Violations & Fines

Riding off a paved or designated path, riding without required lights after dark, a rider 14 or younger riding without a helmet, or leaving a bike where it could injure someone are each a civil infraction under Section 18(B), fined $25 to $500 per Section 37(b), enforced by the Kent County Sheriff's Department.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my 12-year-old need a helmet biking in a Kent County park?
Yes. Section 18(B)(e) requires any rider or passenger age 14 or younger to wear a protective bicycle helmet meeting CPSC or Snell Foundation standards, fastened securely with its straps. It's a civil infraction fined $25 to $500 if they don't.
Can I ride my bike off-trail in a Kent County park?
No. Section 18(B)(a) limits riding to a paved road or path designated for bicycle riding. Riding off those designated surfaces is a municipal civil infraction fined $25 to $500 under Section 37(b), and the Kent County Sheriff's Department can issue the citation on the spot.
Does Kent County set the rules for bike lanes on city streets?
No. This Parks Ordinance section only governs bicycle use inside county parks. On-street bike lanes and bicycle traffic rules outside park property fall under the Michigan Vehicle Code and whichever city or township owns that particular street, not under this county ordinance.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Kent County

All Kent County rules

Compare Kent County to another location·View the Michigan mobility & curb rules overview

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