Friends of Bikers of Lesser Tolerance - B.O.L.T.

Source: Michigan Department of State Police
http://www.michigan.gov/msp/1,1607,7-123-1589_1711_4587-16062--,00.html#...

Section 257.658 of the Michigan Vehicle Code
(4) A person operating or riding on a motorcycle, and any person less than 19 years of age operating a moped on a public thoroughfare shall wear a crash helmet on his or her head. Crash helmets shall be approved by the department of state police. The department of state police shall promulgate rules for the implementation of this section pursuant to the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.315. Rules in effect on June 1, 1970, shall apply to helmets required by this act. This subsection does not apply to a person operating or riding in an autocycle if the vehicle is equipped with a roof which meets or exceeds standards for a crash helmet.

Michigan Administrative Code

R 28.951, effective July 27, 2000, promulgated pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act of 1969, as required by MCL 257.658(4):
R 28.951 Approved Equipment
Rule 1. Motorcycle helmets shall meet the model specifications established by the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Safety Administration. These specifications, located at and identified as "Motorcycle Helmets", 49 C.F.R. § 571.218, published April 15, 1988 in the Federal Register (53 FR 12529), effective October 3, 1988, are adopted in these rules by reference. Printed copies of 49 C.F.R. § 571.218 are available for inspection and for distribution to the public at cost at the offices of the Michigan Department of State Police, Field Operations Division, Traffic Services Section, 714 S. Harrison Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48823. Printed copies of Chapter 49, Transportation, Pts. 400-999, containing 49 C.F.R. § 571.218, are also available from the United States Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, Pa 15250-7954, at a cost of $57.00 at the time of the adoption of this rule.
A complete copy of Motorcycle Protective Headgear, Rule R28.951, can also be viewed at the Office of Regulatory Reform Administrative Rule website.

Additional Wording from Michigan Department of State Police tells of an interpretation of the confusing text above in the section, and also provides suggestions about "Recognizing Approved Helmets"
Per the Michigan Administrative Code Rule R28.951, only motorcycle helmets meeting all of the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218 are legal for use in Michigan. The following guidelines are useful in recognizing approved helmets:

Note from Admin: The "guidelines" are clearly expressed as suggestions rather than exact words of law, so the propaganda (some of which is based on incorrect interpretation of vague federal standards meant to be followed by manufacturers who sell motor vehicle equipment per USC Title 49 Chapter 301) is not duplicated here. Those who wish to argue that even LE is not able to correctly understand the statute, standard, and administrative code may consider using their own interpretation against them. USE THEIR OWN LAWS AGAINST THEM.

Two sites which deal with recommendations on how to proceed if ticketed for an alleged violation: http://www.bikersrights.com/states/michigan/michigan.html
http://usff.com/hldl/hlstatutes/michiganhl.html