The Stolen Bike and a Stranger’s Decision
It began with a simple Facebook post — one that might have easily been lost in the endless scroll of the internet. But for those who stopped to read, it hit straight to the heart.
“Hi, I’m an autistic 19-year-old living on my own, and my bike was stolen opposite the McDonald’s on High Street. My grandma got me this bike for Christmas. I’ve been feeling really down about this — there aren’t many things I enjoy in life, and my bike was one of them. Thank you to anyone who can help.”
The message came from Harvey, a young man whose words carried more than frustration — they carried quiet heartbreak. His bike wasn’t just transportation; it was freedom, joy, and a memory of his late grandmother.
When a woman from the same town read his post, she felt an ache she couldn’t shake. She shared it on Facebook and Twitter, hoping someone might find the bike. But she knew the chances were slim.
A few months earlier, her own bike had been stolen too. She’d just begun saving for a new one — a folding Carrera Hybrid — but that night, she couldn’t stop thinking about Harvey. She pictured him standing where his bike once was, feeling the same emptiness she had.
By morning, she made up her mind.
There would be no GoFundMe, no online campaign. Instead, she used the money she’d been saving for herself to buy Harvey a new bike.
“Because life is short,” she said, “and kindness should always be paid forward.”
When she handed him the bike, Harvey’s eyes filled with tears. He hugged her tightly, whispering “thank you” over and over. In that moment, both of them felt it — the simple, life-altering power of compassion.