John can't work or drive a car. So, his e-bike was more than just a bike.
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"It's my lifeline," John told us.
It's the only mode of transportation that can still give him the feeling of independence, freedom and autonomy. Losing the bike was a big blow, a blow that Francis Lee, who originally sold him the bike, could not ignore.
Lee designs, builds and sells the bikes under the company he founded in 2018, SV Ebikes. The San Jose startup knew they had to do something for John. Lee sent Carmel, this text message :
My goal in life is to make a positive mark on the world, it would be my great honour to give you a bike.
"What you said was perfect, it gave me the ability to accept something that normally, we wouldn't," said Carmel Phillips of the very generous gift.
John's new e-bike has a GPS tracking device and an alarm system, worth $4,900. Lee said he didn't think twice about the gift.
"It just touched our hearts, most people who purchase these things are looking for recreation. We didn't realize that it was serving someone in such an incredible way," said Lee.
"I'm just really thankful with Francis," said John.