An Ottawa man with cerebral palsy whose custom-built bike was stolen from his Alta Vista home in mid-July wants it back.
Kevin Shaw said the bike was made specially for him so that he could exercise and stay fit.
“It may not seem like it’s a big deal … a lot of people get things stolen every day unfortunately, but it’s a little more work for someone with a disability,” the 54-year-old said.
“You can’t just go and buy the same thing,” he added. “For example, they’re not regular foot pedals. They are molded to my feet.”
Cerebral palsy refers to a group of brain disorders that affect movement and posture. Shaw said he had the bike for 23 years, using it to participate in marathons and runs with his friends and family.
It was stolen sometime between July 12 and 14, according to an Ottawa Police Service media release.
Police described the suspect as having curly brown hair and wearing a red T-shirt, black pants with patches and black motorcycle-style boots. He was also carrying a black backpack, the media release said.
Shaw said the bike was kept under a blue tarp at his home, and when it went missing, he checked his security cameras.
Investigators are looking to identify this suspect in connection with the theft of Kevin Shaw’s custom-made bicycle from his home in Alta Vista last month. (Ottawa Police Service)
‘He knew what he was doing’
Based on the footage, Shaw said it appeared the person stole the bike while he was working at home.
He called the theft “brazen.”
“It looked like he knew what he was doing and where he was going,” he said. “Very calm and very relaxed and then he just drove off.”
Shaw said he was preparing to participate in the Army Run in September, but given how long it takes “to make anything that adaptive” he doubts it will happen.
“It takes them a while to make anything that adaptive.”
In the meantime, he’s filed a claim with his insurance. The estimated cost of replacing the bike is more than $6,000, but Shaw expects about $1,000 will still need to come out of his own pocket.
Shaw said he ultimately hopes to get his bike back and that the person responsible is held accountable.
A photo of Kevin Shaw taking part in a race on his bike that was stolen in mid-July. (Matthew Kupfer/CBC)