After theft, amputee gets new custom-made, hand-cranked bike

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A double amputee whose custom-made, hand-cranked bicycle was stolen in San Francisco just before he was set to ride it across the country has a new bike thanks to a Berkeley nonprofit group.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program loaned one of its hand cycles to Krzysztof Jarzebski on Saturday. The Polish Paralympics athlete then set off on his cross-country journey.

Jarzebski's $13,000 bike was stolen Thursday from the rectory quarters of the church he was staying at. It has not been recovered.

The 53-year-old Jarzebski lost his legs to cancer in 1991. He has ridden all over Europe on hand-cranked bicycles.