Albany police are looking for the thieves who stole about $2,500 worth of bikes from an area nonprofit organization.

The Albany chapter of the Oregon Bicycle Transportation Alliance teaches fifth-graders how to ride bikes and follow the rules of the road.

The organization said nine of the group's 32 bikes were stolen out of a padlocked trailer parked in front of Albany's St. Mary's School, where the volunteers had given their latest instructions.

Jim Lawrence, who coordinates the safety program, discovered the theft over the weekend.

Program volunteers said the trailer was locked, but thieves cut through the lock and rode off with the bikes.

"They cut that like it was nothing. They probably got in as fast as I could have gotten in with a key," said Lawrence.

Three of the bikes were found, but six bikes remain missing. The lost bikes are each worth about $250 and come from corporate donations and grants.

"Not having enough bicycles for our classes and nine missing, six now, cripples us. We don't have enough bikes so that every child can have one," said Lawrence.

The program said they hope someone will come forward to help them replace the bikes.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Albany police.