VP data show that the number of bicycle thefts is increasing – 1,616 bicycle thefts were recorded in 2019 and 2,678 stolen bicycles in 2020. Already 1,044 bicycle thefts have been recorded in seven months this year but there are still some owners of bicycles who don't report the fact to the police.
Previously, however, the State Police told Latvian Radio that this summer season bicycle thieves have been less active.
In order to minimize the number of theft and the sales of stolen bicycles on the Latvian market, the VP, in cooperation with the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD), has established an electronic opportunity for the potential buyer to check whether it has already been registered as stolen on the CSDD website or mobile app.
Bicycle owners are invited to register their vehicles with the CSDD so it can be returned to the rightful owner.