Bicycle thefts in Tartu are increasing. The police say this is a major problem. For example, this year alone, there have already been 450 bicycle thefts. Three years ago, the number was much lower.
Police officer Taivo Rossi says bicycles are easy to steal. People buy stolen bicycles online. This means theft will continue. According to Rossi, all it takes to steal is courage and tools.
University of Tartu student Heleri Hunt lost her bicycle. She locked it at the bus station, but the bike disappeared. The police said many bicycles remain missing. Hunt wonders why a solution to the problem hasn't been found.
The Tartu city government is trying to help. Smart parking lots where bicycles can be locked with a phone are available in the city. These are safer than regular parking lots. Project manager Jaanus Tamm says thieves know how to break locks, but smart parking lots are more secure.
The city government wants to build more parking lots, especially in residential areas. However, this requires a lot of money. Currently, there aren't enough resources to implement all ideas.