Fat bikes are extremely popular, but beware: damage is often not covered by personal liability insurance.

The fat bike has become an integral part of the street scene. This wide e-bike is particularly popular among young people. They are fast, quiet and look cool, but it is precisely this combination that is increasingly causing accidents and damage.

Damage caused by fat bikes is increasing significantly. Especially when the bikes are tuned to go faster than the permitted 25 kilometres per hour, risks arise that many parents and drivers are unaware of.

What many people don't know:

• As soon as a fat bike travels faster than 25 km/h, it is legally considered a motor vehicle.
• Damage caused with or by a motor vehicle is excluded from personal liability insurance (AVP).

This means that damage caused by a souped-up fat bike is not covered by AVP. If someone else is hit by such a fat bike or something is damaged, the Motor Traffic Guarantee Fund may compensate the victim for the damage. However, the Guarantee Fund will then recover the compensation paid from the driver or their parents.

Our advice:

• Always check that the fat bike complies with legal requirements (max. 25 km/h, pedal assistance, no throttle).
• Discuss the risks of tuning with your child.

A tuned fat bike may seem like harmless fun, but it can have major financial consequences in the event of an accident. Awareness and prevention are therefore essential for the safety of your child and others.