A masked gang threatened a man at knifepoint and took his moped.
Detectives have issued an appeal for witnesses after the robbery in Whitefield, Bury on Saturday.
Three men all with their faces covered walked up to the victim as he was wheeling the moped up the side of a house on Elms Road at around 2.25pm.
Police said one of the robbers threatened the man with a knife and demanded the keys to his moped.
He ran behind a locked gate but the men pushed the moped away.
It was found abandoned a short time later on nearby Devon Mews and returned to the owner.
In a statement, GMP said: "The first offender is described as white, around 5ft 10ins tall, slim and aged in his mid-teens to early twenties.
"He was wearing a blue hooded top with a grey face covering.
"The second offender is described as around 5ft 10ins tall and slim. He was wearing dark clothing with his face covered.
"The third man was around 5ft 6ins tall wearing dark clothing."
The victim wasn't injured, police said.
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Detective Constable John Dineen said: "Thankfully the man was able to escape uninjured after being confronted, and his moped was recovered a short time later.
"We are keen to speak to anyone who saw this incident take place, or who has any information that might assist our investigation.
"While we have limited descriptions of the offenders, this incident occurred during daylight in a built up residential area.
"The offenders would likely have been visible pushing the moped for a short period after the robbery, before abandoning it.
"Were you in the area at the time, or did you see something that appeared unusual? If so, please get in touch."
Call police on 0161 856 8172 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
