One or more thieves broke into a trailer parked on an Albany street and stole nine of the bicycles used for a bike-safety program in schools.

The Giant-brand mountain bikes in various sizes were missing from the trailer when Jim Lawrence, who coordinates the safety program under the auspices of Oregon’s Bicycle Transportation Alliance, discovered the theft Saturday.

“This really cripples the program,” Lawrence said Sunday.

The trailer had been parked for a few days on Broadalbin Street near St. Mary’s School, where the two-week safety program was being given to fifth-graders last week. Another session is scheduled there this week.

Someone had cut through the hardened-steel hasp of the lock on the trailer door, and nine of the 35 bikes stored inside were lost. The break-in likely happened Thursday or Friday night, Lawrence said.

Each of the bikes cost about $260, for a total loss of about $2,300.

Lawrence spent Sunday alerting shops that deal in second-hand sporting goods.

He had obtained foundation grants to buy the trailer and the bikes, and he hopes he can secure new donations to replace the stolen equipment so the full program can resume next school year.

The course teaches bike handling and safety to Albany fifth-graders and is being presented at about eight schools this school year. After the current session at St. Mary’s, one more is scheduled at Albany’s Liberty Elementary School the first week in June.

A paid instructor conducts the classes, assisted by Lawrence and other volunteers. In public schools the classes usually number 30 children or more, hence the supply of 35 bikes.

Anyone with information about last week’s break-in should call the Albany Police Department, 917-7686.

Democrat-Herald