City Beat

Two wheels are better than none

Bike store and San Jose police team up to help victim of bicycle theft

By Steven Raphael

At 82, James Donohoe doesn't drive anymore. For more than a decade, the Irish immigrant has relied on his bicycle as his only means of transportation.

Until two weeks ago, that is, when it was stolen from his Cambrian Park home.

Donohoe was upset. Although a friend loaned him a bike until he could make other arrangements, Donohoe found himself face to face with a scary prospect: being left alone in a large city without any means of transportation.

He didn't think that reporting the theft to the police would do him any good. "[I thought they'd] just tell me to go downtown and file a report and how the hell are you supposed to get downtown without a bike?" he said.

Nevertheless, when he happened to pass a police car during a walk in the park, he decided to mention it to the officer, San Jose Police Sgt. Randy Cardin, who patrols Willow Glen. After taking a report, Cardin approached fellow policeman Officer Bobby Montalvo.

"I've worked with a lot of non-profit groups in the past," Montalvo said. "I've gotten other donations for the police department. So, I thought about getting a donation for [Donohoe]."

His first thought was to approach Campbell bike store Wheel-Away Bikes, which provides San Jose police with bicycles and bicycle service.

"It's like a home," he explained. "We have a good relationship with them."

Montalvo says he approached Wheel- Away owner Ric Paul, who agreed to help out without hesitation, promising to provide Donohoe with a bicycle.

"We always try to help out the community, that's for sure," Paul said. "The Campbell and San Jose community have given so much to Wheel Away over the years, as a customer base. So, it was just a way to say thanks."

Paul said that this is the first time that Wheel Away has worked with San Jose police in this capacity. However, they have donated bicycles to other causes in the past.

On Saturday, July 15, Donohoe was officially presented with the bicycle by Wheel- Away Bikes and the San Jose Police Department. Donohoe expressed his gratitude to the police and Wheel Away. "I was surprised really," he said. "Of course, I was pleased, very much so."

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