She can't pedal, but can she still ride?
September 7, 2010 9:42 AM   Subscribe

We try to use our bikes as our main mode of transportation. We just adopted a wonderful (small) dog, and we'd like to see if there's a solution for putting a dog safely on a bike without the use of an expensive doggie trailer.

I had a discussion with Mr. two lights about whether we should take the puppy aboard my bike for travel. At first, I thought it was relatively unsafe, and, while I was comfortable putting myself at risk, I wasn't comfortable risking my dog's safety. However, I realize that people put their children on bikes, and that cycling is (hopefully) getting safer as we get more bike lanes here in Philly.

So, I wanted to know if you folks had a solution for safely putting your dog on your bike.

Relevant info:

I have seen this question. I'm thinking about trailers, but I'd prefer an on-bike solution. Also, some of the trailers are almost $200, which would stretch our budget. If you find a cheaper, safe option, I'd like to hear about it.

I have this bike. Obviously, I can't just plop her in my basket (I wouldn't do that anyway), but if there is some other solution you think of, bring it on. I'm up for DIY projects.

This is our doggie. She's a 5 year old jack russel terrier mix. She's fairly calm, believe it or not. She weighs about 12lbs.

Safety is my biggest concern. I know that I'm taking a risk by taking her on my bike. I'm a safe cyclist. In all my years, I've had one "brush" with a car (everything was fine, I wasn't even knocked off my bike), and one accident with trolley tracks. I don't normally encounter trolley tracks, though, so I'm fine there.

Obviously, I can't tell you not to lecture me on puppy safety, but I hope you do trust that it's very important. If a doggie bike trailer is the only safe way to go, that's what we'll do.

Thanks in advance!
posted by two lights above the sea to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (16 answers total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
 
In the UK, at least, you can get a whole range of dog baskets and carriers that mount on the handlebars or on a rear luggage / pannier rack. Modern fabric ones, or wicker ones, and you can get detachable wire dome thingies for on top. We nearly got one for our mini schnauzer, who's gone in a normal basket a few times. Dog and rider both seemed safe enough, but some of that will depend on temperament.

Google dog bike basket.
posted by dowcrag at 9:50 AM on September 7, 2010 [1 favorite]


There are backpacks that are available designed to carry a small pup on the bike. My parents got their dog one, but I'm not sure where they found it.

You may also be able to find doggie "driving goggles" if you're feeling particularly silly.
posted by backseatpilot at 9:57 AM on September 7, 2010


My 17 lb. terrier mix rode in a backpack. I had loops added inside for his leash, which I attached to a shoulder harness (instead of his collar). He chased bikes, so I was scared he'd jump out if someone passed in traffic, but never had a problem. He loved putting his front paws on my shoulder and his face in the wind.

It was pretty adorable.
posted by rafter at 9:59 AM on September 7, 2010 [2 favorites]


Twitpic seems to be on the Fritz; here's the backpack on Flickr.
posted by rafter at 10:06 AM on September 7, 2010 [1 favorite]


Firstly I feel compelled to mention that your dog is adorable (and your bike is very cool). And it's nice to see someone care so much about their dog's safety. In regards to your question, although I've never carried a dog on a bike myself, after looking online it does seem that if you want an on-bike solution then truly safe options are hard to come by. The usual option seems to be a variation of the traditional basket, something like this. But you said you wouldn't really consider putting her in a basket, are you worried she might jump out? If you are maybe you could make it safer by attaching her to the basket with a short lead, but you may not feel this was a safe enough option to protect your dog. It depends on your dog's temperament but a basket should be reasonably safe assuming her behaviour suits it. You could try getting a basket and testing it out with her in it in a safe area before going near any roads.

Unfortunately it seems the best option for safety is a trailer, even if they are a little too expensive. But they do have the advantage of being more secure, plus because they're lower to the ground if you do have an accident your dog will hopefully avoid a nasty fall. Also with less weight on the top of the bike it should make it easier for you to ride safely. I've seen several people in my area carrying dogs with trailers, and they certainly seem the most robust and secure solution.

The backpack solution could also work for you, the picture from rafter is certainly adorable, but personally if I had a dog in my backpack I would be terrified of falling off the bike and squishing the poor thing
posted by Spamfactor at 10:07 AM on September 7, 2010


Response by poster: Great answers so far! I was expecting an onslaught of YOU ARE A TERRIBLE PET OWNER, but apparently I'm not. :D

rafter: ADORABLE. Our pup LOVES bikes as well, and always wants to be AT THE WINDOW in the car. What kind of back pack is that? Reload or Timbuk2? I'd do something like that. Honestly, I considered some kind of baby sling that sits on the front of your chest.

spamfactor: I shouldn't say that I'm totally against a bike basket, but my basket is a part of my bike (removable, but then my bike is not as functional as it was before). Also, the basket I have is very wide and shallow (see the photo) and the wood is slippery. Anything small would fall through the side. So, I'd have to put something inside the basket and make sure it is secure. The Trixie box might work separate from the basket on my bike. I'll have to look at that. I agree that trailers seems to be the best solution. Another problem with them is that most of the time we'd take her on our bike somewhere, we'd need to be able to lock it up. I'd worry about it getting stolen or simply not finding a place to lock up the bike/trailer.

I'll look into doggie back packs.
posted by two lights above the sea at 10:26 AM on September 7, 2010


I really want this basket, but I have a cat and I doubt he would enjoy a bike ride as much as your dog would :) It mounts on the handlebars, so wouldn't interfere with the existing basket (except maybe sitting on it, which would give it extra security/weight bearing properties).

Your question has me dreaming of bike sidecars for dogs! I wonder if those exist :)
posted by girlalex at 10:52 AM on September 7, 2010


I have a pannier rack (sorta like this) on the back of my bike, and a milk crate-style basket attached to the pannier (with zip ties of all things). My 13-pound half Jack Russell happily rides in the basket in the back of my bike. I leash him in--my biggest concern is that he'll see a squirrel and jump out--and I want to get some new nice rope that I can leave in the basket. My idea is to biner him into the bike with his harness, perhaps just on his chest so he can lie down but not jump out. I do put a towel in the bottom of the basket so he's not standing on the plastic crate with holes.

Undoubtedly if I got into a wreck it would be Very Bad. But I bring him the car all the time, and cars are more dangerous, and he's not leashed in there. So that's my justification.

If I had your lovely bike, I might try to find a larger basket my pup could fit in, and would fit into that front rack, and figure out some way to 1) attach the basket to the rack, and 2) attach the dog into the basket.

So, just for some extra information: when I first go the basket all set up, I put my pup in, gave him some super yummy treats, and then walked my bike with him in it around the block. Then I rode around the block. He was a bit nervous at first, but he quickly figured out how awesome it was.

Good luck!
posted by bluedaisy at 10:57 AM on September 7, 2010


Oops, posted too soon.

To get some more ideas:

Google dog bike basket and dog bike basket hack.

This is a lot like my solution and might work for you.
posted by bluedaisy at 10:59 AM on September 7, 2010


Best answer: Would a milk crate fit in your basket? And would Doggie Two Lights fit in a milk crate? If so, that would be pretty cheap but strong. If someone grabbed it, you could easily get another.

You could secure the crate to the bike with strong velcro straps. Check an auto supply place for something used for cargo (probably too long) or a hardware store.

You could use something like this harness to keep her secured to the crate.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 11:06 AM on September 7, 2010


Best answer: I have the exact same bike as you and I carry my small dog around all the time!

That's so crazy, I was expecting to give you advice based on my bike that wouldn't apply but we have the same exact bike.

It's not really so much a basket as an integrated front rack. I actually bought this bike for this feature knowing that I was going to be carrying my dog around.

The integrated front rack was the best option for me because

A) unlike a rear rack, I can see my pup and talk to him during the ride

B) since it's integrated Infeel it's more stable, secure, and prone to failure than some aftermarket rack that wasn't designed with my specific bike in mind

C) it's rated for 25 pound, my dog is only 8.6

I have the smallest cat carrier from Petsmart. I strongly recommend a hard case carrier rather than one of those soft purse-things. If, god forbid, you eat shit on your bike while carrying the dog, it'll be a lot safer in a hard plastic kennel.

This is hard to describe, but on the rear of the rack nearest the fork there's space to loop the hooks of two different bungee cords through the rack-frame.

The bungee cords get pulled over the top of the carrier and, this is the important part, THROUGH THE HANDLE OF THE CARRIER, then down and hooked on the front of the rack.

The bungee cords are very tight and hold the carrier down and because they go through the handle, they can't just slip off the sides. The sides of the rack keep the carrier from slipping from side to side.
posted by Juliet Banana at 11:12 AM on September 7, 2010 [1 favorite]


We had a "ten pounds of terror" cocker/dachsund mix, and for her the bike basket was ideal. We just lined it with a cushy towel--although we didn't find any of the cute wicker ones available when our dog was of bike riding age. Our basket was of a style that someone recommended upthread, where it clamped onto the handlebars and would not interfere with your built-in basket.
posted by beelzbubba at 11:57 AM on September 7, 2010


My backpack was a Freight bag, similar to this.
posted by rafter at 4:10 PM on September 7, 2010


A coworker of mine carries his 10-15 pound dog in a towel-lined wire basket on the front of his bicycle. He puts the dog in a harness and uses a couple of leads attached to the dog and the basket to keep her from jumping out.
posted by asphericalcow at 12:43 AM on September 8, 2010


Response by poster: Hey guys! Thanks again for the amazing feedback. I think I'm going to do a combination of what Juliet Banana and Supersquirrel said and put the milk crate in my basket with tons of bungee cords. We already have this seat belt strap that we can attach to her harness to keep her secure. I can't wait to try this out! I kind of wish they made doggie helmets. How cute would that be!?
posted by two lights above the sea at 6:40 AM on September 8, 2010


Best answer: Dog helmets, you say?
posted by bluedaisy at 8:43 AM on September 8, 2010


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