A cyclist has been caught on camera confronting and reprimanding a disabled man after seeing him ride on his adapted bike.
The incident happened at a park in Indiana where Tom Morris was riding his adapted, motorized bike due to having disabilities that prevent him from riding a traditional type of a bike.
As Mr. Morris continued down the trail, he was stopped by a pair of cyclists whereas the male quickly accosted him and blocked his path.
“Seriously dude, you’re not supposed to have e-bikes on this thing,” the man, who parked his bike at the side of the track, said as he approached Morris.
After Morris explained that his bike was a “handicapped piece of equipment,” the male cyclist responded by saying: “And? Show me the rules saying that you’re allowed to do this. Come on buddy, you’re breaking the rules of the park.”
Interrupting the cyclist, Morris asked the man who he was before adding that he’s using a handicapped piece of equipment because he can’t walk.
After the cyclist sighed and walked away, his female companion told Morris he “should have led” by explaining that at the beginning.
Following the confrontation, Morris went viral with the video in an attempt to raise awareness.
“The only reason I posted that video was because I want to advocate for people that, maybe, don’t have the ability to advocate for themselves,” he said as he urged people to be kind to one another.
“2020 has been quite a challenge for all of us but remember no matter what, be KIND to each other.”
After the footage went viral, Morris created another video in which he asked the viewers to show compassion for the pair who stopped and reprimanded him.
“I don’t know them. I know them from one interaction and I have nothing but love and kindness for them. This isn’t a revenge thing – it’s not anything like that,” Morris said.
“(…) As we move forward, man, I would just appreciate if we could just look at people with a bit more empathy, and try and get out there to make this place better.”
In his final update on the matter, Morris also revealed he was contacted by Terry Coleman, the former Deputy Director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, who reassured him he is allowed to use adapted equipment in the park.
“He said what I’m on is not an e-bike, it’s an adaptive piece of equipment and adaptive equipment is allowed on all of the trails throughout all of Indiana,” Morris said.
Replaced!