Fynn's special bike is back

BEN WATSON

JUST IN TIME: Fynn Schulte was reunited with his BMW bike just days before the family flew back to Switzerland.

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A unique BMW bike has been returned to its 4-year-old owner in the nick of time.

Days out from their departure back to Switzerland, Bodo and Christine Schulte received a text message from police that their son Fynn's bicycle had been located.

The Kidsbike was stolen last month from the Takapuna Beach Holiday Park, where the family are staying.

Its unique quality is that it morphs from a small pedal-less model for toddlers learning to balance into a fully fledged children's bike, complete with BMW insignia.

The Swiss-German family visits Takapuna every year for sailing and always feel safe, Mr Schulte says. So they thought nothing of leaving the $500 bike outside their caravan at night.

"Bikes are stolen all the time, but not a kid's bike," Mr Schulte says.

He and his wife later bought Fynn a larger bike for him to grow into. Fynn uses a bike to get around Takapuna and his parents walk.

Mrs Sculte says the plan was to pass the Kidsbike on to one of Fynn's friends back home, who is younger. Fynn found it hard to understand why anyone would take his bike without asking.

But the family was "totally surprised" to learn that the bike had been found in bushes near their campsite, because they had scoured the area for days.

They say publicity from an article on Fynn's missing bike in the North Shore Times on March 5 is most likely behind its safe return.

"Maybe somebody got nervous," Mr Schulte says.

Fynn is pleased to be re-united with his old bike but is ready to pass it on now.

Mrs Schulte says that although the newer, cheaper model is slightly too big, Fynn prefers it because it goes faster.

- © Fairfax NZ News