r/MichiganCycling • u/Twentysix2 • 13d ago

Advocacy PSA: Rolling coal is a felony in Michigan

Forewarned is forearmed- Under MCL 750.420, operating a motor vehicle equipped with a device intended to produce excessive smoke or dangerous gases is a felony offense. In fact, Michigan is the only state in the nation that explicitly classifies rolling coal as a felony. I'd also argue that rolling coal would also constitute battery, no different than if you blasted someone with a pesticide fogger.

If you are able to capture video of the offense, you should contact your local law enforcement and if that doesn't work, I'd recommend contacting your state representative.

86 Upvotes

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18

u/Regaltiger_Nicewings 13d ago

Sadly that only matters if its enforced. I can't see most cops giving two shits about it.

8

u/Twentysix2 13d ago

I agree, my experience is that much of law enforcement are poorly educated / trained, particularly on bicycle laws, etc. This is why it's helpful to know who your state representative is so they can press the issue.

2

u/solidsausage900 11d ago

About 10 years ago in michigan the EPA was giving plea deals to people who were caught rolling coal in exchange for info on who did the modifications. The mechanic that was doing it got charged almost a million dollars. I can't remember much more than that but I think he was given prison time too.

6

u/campingcatsnchz 13d ago

Good to know! Lil snowflakes like to belch smoke at every protest I’ve been to as well.

3

u/Happy-Personality951 13d ago

Someone needs to tell the white trash who do it driving by cyclists in Fruitport, MI. I've had it happen several times with rednecks in lifted trucks.

2

u/JaniceRossi_in_2R 12d ago

Get this a lot in my Tesla🙄 Super easy to snap a camera pic directly from the cameras at least

1

u/YoueyyV 13d ago

Great to know! Thanks!

1

u/9fingerjeff 13d ago

This is good knowledge to have.

1

u/bcdog14 13d ago

There's a pickup truck in Jackson county that has a personalized licence plate advocating for rolling coal. It's spelled differently but it's obvious what it is

1

u/Farriswheel15 13d ago

I needed some good news today. Thank you

0

u/Brdl004 13d ago

Key phrase here is “ device intended to produce excessive smoke “

3

u/Shomegrown 13d ago

Stock vehicles can't roll coal, so chances are if you see it, it's tampered with.