Astha Pandey/VOIWORLD
“They stole my motorcycle, but it wasn’t only a motorbike,
it was my home, it was my dream, it was my everything as a traveler.”
These were the words from Mumbai biker Yogesh Alekari, he shared through his social media after
his KTM Adventure was stolen in Nottingham, UK, ending his inspiring world tour prematurely.
Yogesh had embarked on a journey of riding solo for over 24,000 kilometers on May 1, 2025,
setting out from Mumbai. For a period of 118 days, he covered 17 countries, riding through diverse
terrains and cultures and sharing his experience on social media. His tour involved Iran, Turkey, and
multiple European nations. His next planned destination was Africa, where he intended to ride from
Morocco to Cape Town before returning home.
But this adventure was abruptly brought to a heartbreaking halt, when thieves broke the lock on his
parked motorcycle and fled with it, along with passports, cameras, and cash valued at nearly
£15,000.
Although Alekari promptly reported the theft to Nottinghamshire Police, his hopes for justice were
quickly dampened after receiving only a crime reference number, with no officers dispatched to
assist him directly. He shared CCTV footage that captures the calculated break-in by four men
dismantling locks and fleeing with his motorcycle.
Through his shared clips getting shared all over social media, this incident has struck an emotional
chord among Indians, along with bikers and riders worldwide, sparking advocacy for enhanced
safety frameworks and support systems for international travelers.
He still needs to seek assistance from the Indian High Commission.
Although Alekari struggles, stranded in a foreign country and to move forward without his
motorcycle or important identification documents, his journey has shifted from one of adventure to
one of resilience.
His story mirrors the anxieties of countless travelers abroad who are left vulnerable when local
systems fail to respond swiftly.
Beyond this one incident there are many stories left untold, that highlights a pressing need
authorities to stand with travelers by taking proactive law enforcement and stronger diplomatic
support. Until such safeguards are firmly in place, the solidarity of the biking community may remain the
most powerful shield for riders confronting adversity on foreign roads.
