'Someone just stole my legs,' Disabled Vernon man has trike stolen in B.C.

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'Someone just stole my legs,' Disabled Vernon man has trike stolen InfoTel News Ltd

Vernon, British Columbia - Maurice Strong describes having his bike stolen as like someone stealing his legs.

Strong uses a wheelchair and can't drive, so his three-wheeled recumbent Tricycle is his lifeline to the outside world. Sometime in the early hours of May 13 thieves took off with Strong's bicycle from outside his Alexis Park Drive apartment.

"I usually throw a lock around it," Strong said. But hidden from view and with a cover over it, that night he didn't.

Strong said he has brain damage and no balance, but he can ride a recumbent tricycle. He attaches his wheelchair to the rear of the bike and with daily use put's a few hundred kilometres on the trike each week.

"I'm not able-bodied so those things are pretty much my legs," Strong said. "It's like... someone just stole my legs."

He purchased the yellow TerraTrike in 2013 and estimates the hi-tech piece of equipment would cost around $4,000 to replace.

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP have recently reported a surge in bicycle theft in the city and advise residents to be diligent in securing their bikes.

Strong is clearly emotional about his loss and desperate to get it back. His lack of balance means he's not able to ride a regular bike, so can't simply buy a cheap replacement. It also has a huge amount of sentimental value and meaning to him. When he moved from Winnipeg to Vernon in 2015 he didn't take a flight.

"I sold my furniture, packed up some clothes and rode my bike to B.C.," the 38-year-old said. He completed the 2,300-kilometre trip solo, camping most nights along the way.

For Strong, the bike is much more than just a bike.

"[It's] physical and mental therapy all in one shot," he said.

Anyone with any information should call. Vernon North Okanagan RCMP on 250-545-7171. File number: 2019-9623.

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Good Samaritan offers disabled Vernon man new trike following theft InfoTel News Ltd

VERNON - A disabled Vernon man who had his tricycle stolen May 13 may soon be back on three wheels.

West Kelowna resident Wayne Hyslop read about Maurice Strong's recumbent tricycle being stolen and decided to help.

While most people won't have a specialized three-wheeled people mover in their garage, Hyslop does. And he's decided Strong can have it.

"It sounds like the guy got a bad deal," Hyslop said. "I just hate it when somebody gets screwed."

Hyslop said he bought the tricycle a few years ago when he himself had mobility issues but has since gone back to riding on two wheels.

"I was going to sell the bike this year... but if somebody needs it that's way more important," he said.

While Hyslop's trike isn't quite as high-end as the model Strong got stolen it's still valued at a couple of thousand dollars and Hyslop believes should be a good fit for Strong. He also dismisses any praise for his generous act.

"What goes around comes around," he adds.

And after the terrible blow of losing what Strong refers to as his "legs," the 38-year-old is almost speechless about the offer.

"I'm not sure how to describe it," Strong told iNFOnews.ca when asked how he felt. "It's really something, I'm not sure how to say it."

And Hyslop isn't the only one who felt they had to act after hearing about Strong's loss.

Staff at Vernon's Discovery Optometry heard the story and set up a GoFundMe for Strong. Kim Schnell said Strong is a client at the optometrist and the staff knew what his trike meant to him.

"We're just inspired by him, he's an amazing man," Schnell said. "His bike is his independence, it's everything to him."

Schnell said Strong uses his bike to cycle to all his appointments whether they be in Vernon, Kelowna or even Coeur d' Alene in Idaho.

While all parties involved are still hopeful that Strong's trike will reappear he now has options if it doesn't.

Hyslop said he has a great deal of respect for Strong and his need for independence.

"I think that getting out and doing (stuff) is a good thing and if the guy's doing on his own I'm on his side," he said.

And Hyslop takes no issue with giving away an expensive piece of kit to a complete stranger.

"A friend in need is a friend indeed. He's just a friend I haven't met yet."

Anyone with any information should about the theft should call Vernon North Okanagan RCMP on 250-545-7171. File number: 2019-9623.

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