Can I install an upright handlebar (curved towards me) on a touring bike? I bike around the city on a daily basis, usually for short distances (5 km tops, typically less than that). I currently have a cheap, battered down touring bike that is nevertheless doing the job surprisingly well, and I think it can work for quite some time more with the proper maintenance.

However, I'd like a more upright riding position. I used to have a dutch-style bike and I found it much more comfortable than my current one, even though it was way too small for me. When riding my touring bike I very often find myself sitting as upright as I can while still holding the handlebar with the tips of my fingers, and I think, "only if this handlebar would curve towards me..."

So I think I have about three options right now:


Spend around $600 in a dutch-style bike (new or second hand). That's going to get me a very heavy bike with 3 gears, maybe 5. My experience with this (the 3 gears part) is terrible.
Spend way more than that. I don't want to do this, not because I can't afford it, but because I park my bike in the street all the time, and bike theft is a thing here, not a rampant problem, but it happens. The more the bike is worth, the more likely it is to get stolen.
Spend a fraction of that on a dutch-style handlebar and install it on my bike. I'd need longer cables too, and maybe a wider seat in case the increased weight on it makes it uncomfortable, but it's still cheaper and I end up with a better bike than in option 1.


So I guess the question is, is this a good idea? Or is there some danger that I'm not aware of? I feel there must be something wrong with it, otherwise I would have seen plenty of bikes like this already.

Edit
This is the model I have now (only the seat is different)
is this a good idea? Or is there some danger that I'm not aware of?


You can safely install different shapes of handlebars on all bikes (when done properly).  If you want to keep your current stem, make sure you buy a handlebar with the exact same diameter as the old one (this is exact to a fraction of mm).  Or if you want/need to replace the stem make sure you buy a stem that is compatible with your fork.

Edit after photo has been added:

I am quite confident you can safely replace these handlebars with "Dutch"-style bike handlebars.  The most complicated would be to make sure you can safely use the brake levers.  Adjust the angle by rotating the lever before tightening it down.  Most brake levers allow to adjust the reach of the lever, in case you have trouble comfortably reaching for them.  If you don't feel comfortable making these adjustments yourself, it would be best to have a bike shop do it for you.  

Good luck!

You didn't provide much information on what handlebar you have now.  Nor what brake levers and shifters are fitted on them.  And this is where the costs might go up quite a bit.  For example, if you currently have drop handle bars, your levers are not going to (safely) fit on the handlebar you want to use.  So then you need to replace the brake levers and shifters, keeping then in mind that you need to buy levers and shifters that are compatible with your current brakes and derailleurs.