Of the 73 bicycle thefts reported in Umeå during the first three months of 2026, 47 involved regular bicycles, which is 36 fewer than the same period last year, and 26 involved electric bicycles, representing an increase of seven from last year, the police said. According to SVT Västerbotten, Angelika Westergård at the police described that more electric bicycles are being sold and they are more attractive to thieves because there is more money to be made from them. She added that it often involves repeat thieves who have made a business out of stealing.
Bicycle thefts occur all over the city, but according to SVT Västerbotten, Westergård described a corridor from central Umeå up to the hospital area where many bicycles are stolen. Theories about international gangs stealing bicycles exist, but according to SVT Västerbotten, Westergård described this is not something seen to any great extent. Police have not specified what measures are being taken to combat the increase in electric bicycle thefts.
Partly, more electric bicycles are being sold, but they are also more attractive to thieves because there is more money to be made from them.
It is unknown if there are any suspects or arrests related to the recent thefts. The estimated financial loss from the stolen electric bicycles and how theft rates in Umeå compare to other Swedish cities remain unclear. The types of electric bicycles most commonly targeted are also unknown.
There is a corridor from central Umeå up to the hospital area where many bicycles are stolen.
There are theories about international gangs stealing bicycles, but it is not something we see to any great extent.