HB 708 Summary

• Requires electric bicycle owners to carry liability insurance in counties with populations of 500,000 or more, with specific coverage minimums for bodily injury and property damage.

• Defines electric bicycles as Class 3 bicycles with motors not exceeding 750 watts that provide assistance only while pedaling up to 28 miles per hour and are equipped with speedometers.

• Establishes insurance requirements including proof of coverage cards (paper or electronic), rate-setting standards, and filing procedures with the insurance commissioner.

• Allows self-insurance options for electric bicycle owners if they provide equivalent surety bonds and securities approved by the commissioner.

• Imposes nonsuspendable fines for operating uninsured electric bicycles, with exceptions for operators with their own coverage, employees using employer-owned bicycles, or those reasonably believing borrowed bicycles are insured.