Editor’s note: This story has been updated since its original publication to include news of the bike’s return.
- In June, James Middleton, the brother of Kate Middleton, made a plea on his Instagram page for the safe return of his Babboe Dog-E cargo bike, which he says was stolen.
- On August 7, Middleton announced that the bike has been found, and has promised to repair it and donate it to the Battersea Cat and Dog Home.
- Middleton has been open about his mental health struggles, and both riding and spending time with pets are proven ways to boost your mood.
On June 19, James Middleton, the brother of Kate Middleton, launched on plea on his Instagram page for the safe return of his dog cargo e-bike, which he said had been stolen. The theft was a significant blow to Middleton and puppy-passengers alike.
The specially designed bike—a Babboe Dog-E cargo bike, according to a post on the company’s own Instagram page about the incident—allowed him to take his five beloved dogs out for a spin. The bike, which includes six different modes, also boasts a dog ramp to allow easy in-and-out access for the canine companions.
His dogs, who seemingly enjoyed the rides as much as Middleton did, were “devastated,” as he claimed in the post.
Middleton wrote that there was an investigation into the theft from CCTV footage. In effort to create some positivity, he also promised that should his post reach 15,000 likes, he would donate to the Battersea Cat and Dog home—a local animal shelter—to support the furry “residents [who have] lost more than just a bike.”
Middleton had more than reached his goal at over 28,000 likes.
Then on Wednesday, August 7, he announced on Instagram that his bike had been found. The unique bike was spotted by someone after they had learned of it through his social media plea. Unfortunately, the bike was damaged, but he plans on restoring it with the help of the bike manufacturer, Babboe.
Since he had received a replacement bike while his original was lost, that would mean Middleton would have two dog cargo e-bikes, which, even with his brood of pups, isn’t really necessary. So he decided to donate the original to Battersea Cat and Dog home.
“I know it will get lots of use moving various residents around, from the elderly to the injured to the overly excited pups wanting to get to the park quicker!” he said in his post.
With his replacement e-bike, Middleton is once again on the road with his pups.
Middleton, who is both an animal lover and an athlete—he has taken part in events like charity bike rides and the ÖTILLÖ SwimRun World Championships—has been very vocal about his mental health struggles. In January, he wrote an op-ed about his battle with depression. Then in March, he explained further in an Instagram post, “I’ve been in that angst of loneliness, where you’re really alone in the universe. Luckily for me I had my dogs.”
Being in the company of animals is known to have significant positive effects on humans, particularly those suffering from depression, loneliness, anxiety and emotional distress.
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According to a study in the Lancet, cycling was the second most effective form of exercise for boosting mental health: Those who ride experience 22 percent fewer poor mental health days than those who do not. What’s more, exercise has been known to boost endorphins in your body, which can improve your mood.
Riding—especially with a load of pups—can be such an important way to keep your mental health in check, so we are happy to hear the bike is back, and ready to carry new canine cargo.
Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.
