Specialist accessible bikes stolen from Bowlee Park

Six specialist accessible bikes were stolen from a storage unit in Bowlee Park last week - and two are still missing after members of the public found four hidden close by.

The specialist bikes are for those who might struggle or be unable to ride a standard bike due to disability, a health condition, frailty or dementia.

The thieves are understood to have burned through the padlock with a blow torch, damaging the container in the process before taking the following cycles: a Fun2Go Tandem, a Hase Trigo, a Jorvik Mountain Trike, a Pfautec Elegance, a Tomcat Dragon and a Van Raam Velo Plus 3.

Four of the bikes were found on Saturday morning (24 June) in the park by members of the public, but one is damaged beyond use whilst three are awaiting assessment of the damage to see if they can be repaired.

A Hase Trigo and Yorvik Mountain Trike are still missing.

A spokesperson for Your Trust said: “Sadly, the theft of the bikes means that people will be unable to enjoy their regular weekly cycling sessions. Due to the cost and these bikes being built to order, it's highly unlikely that sessions will be able to take place for the remainder of the year if they are not returned.

“If the four bikes that have been returned are damaged beyond repair, they will cost approximately £17,000 to replace. 

“The two bikes that are still missing are around £4,000 and the tools and stand that have been taken that are used for maintaining the bikes is valued at approximately £1,000.

“It’s extremely upsetting as funds are not unlimited and this is a lot of money for us.

“We'd like to get them back as quickly as possible, so if you have seen any of the bikes please contact us at inclusion@yourtrustrochdale.co.uk or call 01706 924000, or the bikes can be returned anonymously to Heywood Sports Village.”