Nebraska

Bicycle Laws

• No-Fault State: NoNebraska is an at-fault state with no personal injury protection. Medical payments coverage on an auto policy is optional.
• Fault Rule: Modified Comparative Negligence, 50% BarA rider whose negligence equals or exceeds the total negligence of the people sued recovers nothing. Below that, damages are reduced by the rider's percentage.
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage and Minimum Auto LiabilityUninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is mandatory on every auto policy, at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, for bodily injury only. Drivers must carry at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
• Deadlines: 4 Years to Sue, 1 Year for a Claim Against a City or CountyAn injury or bike damage lawsuit must be filed within four years. A claim against a political subdivision must be made in writing within one year, and a claim against the state within two years.
• Safe Passing: 3 Feet, Plus Move Over or Slow DownDrivers must leave no less than three feet when overtaking a bicycle. A driver approaching or passing a cyclist or e-bike rider must also change lanes where two lanes run the same direction, or reduce speed.
• Helmet Law: None StatewideNebraska has no statewide bicycle or e-bike helmet law for any age.

Read the full Nebraska bicycle accident law guide

E-bike Laws

• Driver license: Not requiredAn e-bike is a bicycle under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-611, and Nebraska LB 138 wrote e-bikes out of the motor-driven cycle definition (60-640): no operator license for any class.
• Registration: Not requiredBicycles are excluded from Nebraska's motor vehicle definition (60-339): no title, no plate, no DMV visit for a compliant e-bike.
• Insurance: Not requiredNebraska mandates no liability coverage for Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3: protection is on you.
• Minimum age: None statewideNo statute sets an operating age for any class, Class 3 included; local ordinances may still add limits.
• Helmet: None statewideNebraska's helmet statute (60-6,279) covers motorcycles and mopeds only: e-bike riders of any age face no state helmet rule.

Where You Can Ride

• Roads & bike lanesAll three classes ride wherever bicycles ride (Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,317), and since September 3, 2025 drivers must change lanes or give 3 feet when passing under Nebraska LB 530.
• Shared-use pathsNo statewide class restriction on bicycle paths, even Class 3 rides by default, though a local authority may regulate by ordinance (60-6,317).
• SidewalksLegal statewide with pedestrian rights and duties: yield to walkers; Omaha, Lincoln, and Hastings ban riding on downtown business-district sidewalks.
• State parksNebraska Game & Parks allows Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 on the 317-mile Cowboy Trail; check the individual park for other trails.
• Out-of-class e-motosOver 750 watts or throttle past 20 mph means Nebraska moped or motor-driven cycle rules, with license and helmet requirements to match.