Riverdale woman with disability desperate for help after e-bike theft
Lisa Hammer says she relied on the bike to get around because of her disability.
A Riverdale woman says she is desperate for help after her electric bike was stolen.
Lisa Hammer says she relied on the bike to get around because of her disability.
"For me, the e-bike was freedom,” said Hammer.
A battle with cancer left the 58-year-old permanently disabled, but when she got her e-bike, she says it changed her life.
"That was a lifeline because I can't walk more than like a block, you know, maybe a block and a half,” Hammer explained. “Even standing here, I'm just covered in pain."
She says she was crushed when she discovered a thief had sawed through her heavy-duty lock and swiped her bike on Sunday.
Hammer said she had her bike chained up on West 256th and Arlington Avenue with two other bikes that were also stolen.
Hammer reported the theft to the NYPD. According to data from the 50th Precinct, petty theft is up, with 126 thefts this past month, compared to 83 last year.
"This is life altering for me,” Hammer said. “This isn't just some fun little e-bike I had that I can just go buy another one."
Hammer says she just wants her bike back.
"I'm out like over $1,000 and it's just not happening,” Hammer said. “I'm on disability.”
