Three weeks after his birthday, 5-year-old Wesley Paget heard some devastating news: The new bicycle he got for his birthday had been stolen. Luckily for the Paget family, Gilad Gozlan heard their story.
Gozlan, owner of Life Cycle Bike Shop, offered to replace Wesley’s bike for free after hearing about the Pagets and their son’s bike theft through a rant that Amanda Paget, Wesley Paget’s mother, wrote on Craigslist.com.
The bicycle was stored under a staircase when it was stolen outside of the Pagets’ apartment.
“I wrote on Craigslist hoping that someone would recognize the bike and bring it back,” Paget said. “Money is too tight to be replacing a stolen bike.”
Growing up in a single-parent family on a budget, Gozlan understood the Pagets’ situation. “I felt I was in a position where I could help them, so I did,” said Gozlan.
Gozlan invited the Pagets to his shop to pick out a replacement bike. Although Life Cycle carries mostly adult bikes, they custom-ordered a green Jamis with a bell and training wheels for Wesley.
“When Gilad offered Wesley a new bike I was shocked that anyone would be so nice,” Amanda Paget said.
“I just wanted to make the kid happy,” Gozlan said. “I thought, ‘Why not show him there were good people in the world, too?’”
Wesley took his new bike home Oct. 31. “He loves his new bike,” Amanda Paget said. “All he wants to do is go ride it.”
Wesley is taking extra precautions in order to keep the new bicycle safe from theft and locking it inside their apartment, Amanda Paget said.
“I was worried about how to explain to my son why someone would steal his bicycle,” Amanda Paget said. “I’m happy Wesley was also able to learn a wonderful lesson about good people, too.”
Gozlan opened Life Cycle about two years ago after working at Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life. Life Cycle specializes in professional bike fittings, and features couches and Guitar Hero for customers to use.
His goal was to create a bike shop where people could learn about bicycles and hang out. “Life Cycle Bike Shop is more than a bike shop, it’s a bike community,” is his store’s motto.
Gozlan grew up in Israel and has lived in Oregon for three years. He spent six years as a professional bicycle racer for the Israeli National road team in Europe and is currently in his second year of coaching the Club Sports bicycle team at the University.
Life Cycle is a sponsor of that team and the Club Sports triathlon team.
Bike theft is common in Eugene and on campus. University students can register their bikes for free with the Department of Public Safety in order to facilitate the return of stolen bicycles.
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