Man gets new trike after his was stolen

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A Grand Rapids man with cerebral palsy will be receiving a new trike, which is his only means of transportation, after his other one was stolen.

TerraTrike, a Kentwood-based company, was flooded with phone calls and e-mails from residents who wanted to help Nicholas Knack after they saw the story Thursday on 24 Hour News 8.

"We saw the piece last night and we were touched and we know what it's like to lose a bike, so we thought we're in a position in which we can offer him a new Trike, and that's why we're here," said Jeff Yonker, the marketing director of TerraTrike.

"I was really surprised. What a great community we have of people," Knack told 24 Hour News 8.

24 Hour News 8 Daybreak showed Friday morning Yonker letting Knack test-ride a new trike. Knack has to be fitted for one, and that process will take place Saturday. His stolen bike costs $900. The new one will be an upgrade.

"I saved up for about a year in order to get that bike," Knack said. "It really has improved my life, 'cause now I actually have a life."

Knack lives in the East-town neighborhood, on Wealthy Street. He hasn't ever had problems in the area, his mother told 24 Hour News 8, until now.

"I woke up this (Thursday) morning and I was gonna go to the bank so I could cash my check, and my bike was gone," Knack said.

The search continues for the recumbent trike, which is described as blue, black and chrome with whitewall tires and a light-up red reflector on the back.

Knack, who has a hard time walking a far distance, uses the trike on a daily basis to buy food and travel to work. He is employed by Wal-Mart in Cascade, which is eight miles from his home.

Maybe the thief didn't know it's more than just a ride, Knack said.

"Let me have my bike back, because it's my life," he said Thursday. "They obviously don't understand what I need that bike for on a daily basis."

TerraTrike is meeting with Knack's mother and they will set up a fund to accept donations, which will be used for accessories for Knack's new bike.