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Last Updated on 17 December 2024 by Vanessa

Rudi Saldia, a 26-year-old bike courier from Philadelphia, has found an unconventional co-pilot in his year-old cat, Mary Jane (nicknamed MJ). Their urban escapades, captured on a GoPro, have not only turned heads on the streets of Philadelphia but also gained over 1.2 million views on YouTube. Join this unique duo for a heartwarming journey through the streets of Philadelphia.

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Meet Rudi Saldia and Mary Jane

Saldia and Mary Jane’s unexpected journey to internet fame

Mary Jane was born in Saldia’s bedroom closet drawer on April Fools’ Day.

When Saldia discovered his cat’s favorite spot was perched on his shoulders, he decided to train her to join him on his workdays as a bike courier.

In 2013, he began taking MJ on short rides when she was just two months old, starting with the quiet streets of downtown Philadelphia.

Before they knew it, those quick rides transformed into adventures covering several miles, officially turning MJ into a feline courier.

Now, they’re a regular duo on Philadelphia’s streets.

The brown and black tabby with bright yellow eyes, appears to take the trips in stride, especially being an indoors cat. This is really her only time outside.

Despite occasional spooking by sirens and buses, she relishes the experience, enjoying the sights and the wind in her ears. She stays chill on Saldia’s shoulder and never uses her claws; shoulders and back stay scratch-free.

Saldia describes her shoulder perch as “total zen mode.

Internet sensation and GoPro collaboration

Saldia’s initial motive was merely to prove to his skeptical mother that he was indeed taking MJ for a spin.

Even after the video, titled “My Cat Can Ride A Bike Better Than You,” went viral, Saldia still encounters disbelief from people who see them on the streets.

The first video’s success caught the attention of GoPro, a brand of action cameras and accessories, and this led to a collaboration. AnneMarie Hennes, a GoPro spokeswoman, praised the uniqueness of the footage and asked for permission to use the footage for a camera ad. She also provided Saldia with additional sports cameras to create more content featuring the feline adventurer.

Addressing concerns: Is MJ safe on the streets?

Speaking to Sydney’s Telegraph newspaper, he shared, “People are always caught off guard – they do a double-take. I usually don’t catch most reactions, but when I do, it’s often ‘Oh my God, he has a cat on his shoulder! That’s so cute.’ People love to come up, pet her, and are amazed that she rides in on a bicycle.

Certainly, not everyone agrees that MJ should be cruising down city streets perched on a shoulder.

While online commenters express concerns about MJ’s safety without a harness, Saldia assures that he takes necessary precautions.

He believes MJ would fare better in an accident than he would and remains confident in their shared urban journeys.

Conclusion

Saldia’s mom, initially skeptical about her son’s rides with MJ, now finds the tandem adventures “kind of cool.” She appreciates that it keeps Saldia and MJ company, declaring, “I don’t think they’re hurting anybody.”

Saldia and his cat continue their unconventional bike rides in Philadelphia. Not stopping at just 25 miles, he has his sights set on reaching 100 miles with MJ by next September.

Source: Daily Mail