£3,000 bike stolen from city disabled man is returned

A £3,000 specially-made bike which was stolen from a disabled Coventry man outside his home - has been returned.

Born with cerebral palsy, Simon Stevens needs the trike to keep healthy and active.

Last Thursday morning, Simon heard the thieves break into the caged area outside his home on Stoney Stanton Road to steal the trike.

His disability means his speech, balance and hand control are affected and he uses an electric wheelchair to get around.

Only last Sunday, Simon, 43, completed the HSBC UK City Ride.

However nearly a week on and more than 23,000 shares of a social media post later, he last night had his trike returned.

Simon is now extremely please he’s had his lifeline returned.

He said: “I’m very pleased, I am exhausted with all the attention, not had time to let it sink in. i would have been very pleased with 100 shares.

“I believe this was a collective effort, as someone who has experience of trolls previously, this is the best of what social media is and can achieve spontaneously.

“It was the actual trike, one of a kind, but needs repairing. I am unclear who returned it.”

More than £3,000 was raised to get Simon a new trike built.

The £3,320 will now be used to fix the trike.

Simon said: “Funds, after discussing with others, will be used on repairs, security, new kit including winter kit and a custom skinsuit like name and thank you message, future events, and donated to a disabled cycling charity.

“I will set up a cycling page, do a thank you blog and other blogs over time, and am considering an causal ride along at some point at War Memorial to say thanks.

“I’m not sure how long it will be before I get it back up and running.”