This year, police have received reports of more than 200 stolen bicycles. Investigating the cases is not easy, and only a minority of stolen vehicles are recovered. To protect bicycles, residents are urged to register them with the Road Safety Directorate (CSDD), Latvian Television reports on 8 April.
Last year, almost 1,500 bicycle thefts were registered with the State Police (VP). This is 153 more than the year before. The police attribute this to an increase in the number of cyclists and their vehicles and more active reporting of thefts.
In the first three months of this year, 217 bicycles were reported stolen and criminal proceedings were initiated in about a third of the cases.
“Owners themselves are not so conscientious and often park their vehicles in places that are not visible, unlocked, unsafe and for longer periods of time,” said Vita Vīlistere, a spokeswoman for the Police Headquarters. “They take both locked and unlocked vehicles. There are very simple locks where it only takes a thief a few seconds to cut them, break them and take the bike.”
The police could not say exactly what proportion of bicycles are recovered. Investigations are often difficult because the owner cannot give any details about his bicycle – neither the manufacturer nor the type.
Cyclists are encouraged to register their vehicles with the CSDD so that they are more likely to be recovered if lost.
So far, around 31,000 bicycles have been registered. It is also advisable to insure the bike to minimise financial losses in case of theft. Jānis Abāšins, President of the Latvian Insurers’ Association, said that the number of bicycle insurance cases is gradually increasing.
Police reminded that bicycle owners should take care to keep their vehicles safe. It is important to park it in a locked place, in view of CCTV cameras and use a secure lock.
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