‘It was a big purchase for me at £550, my first new bike since I was a child’

• I COULD not believe your August 5 front page on bicycle thieves… this has just happened to me. Thursday morning I came downstairs to see my bike had been stolen overnight too.

I caught Covid-19 in May 2020, and that became long Covid, so I couldn’t use my bike for 14 months. My only option is to lock my bike in the street because of where I live.

I am disabled, live on benefits, and bought the bike hoping to cycle a little locally to build up my strength and make use of the new cycle lanes for safety.

It was a big purchase for me at £550, my first new bike since I was a child. I live on benefits, alone, with long-term mental health condition, and struggle to make friends.

I do enjoy a swim at the Hampstead Heath ladies’ pond and the bike was giving me confidence to go out and be more active, to start swimming there again.

I cannot afford to replace my bike and I am so upset as the sense of freedom and confidence I was starting to gain has been snatched away. It was really good for my health as the last 14 months have been really challenging.

Please remind everyone to be as careful locking up their bikes. The thieves must have cut through the two locks I had used.

It is really shocking that it seems to be organised gangs that are doing this. The harm is more than just property theft and ought to be followed up by police.

They just don’t seem to care. Surely the organised aspect of this must make them want to do something about this.

ELIZABETH J
Sumatra Road, NW6