dog bike carriers

Hi Everyone,

I think I saw a post about this at some point, but I can't find it again. I'm getting a bike again soon, for exercise, just fun trips out, and shopping. I have a 10 lb dog who loves going out with me, and I love taking her out with me. Sometimes it's even *important* too, like the vet or petstore (I don't own a car). I've searched for dog bike carriers, but ALL are soft carriers and uncovered carriers...clearly dangerous if there is any kind of even minor accident or a big swerve, curve, bump etc. I do feel because of my dogs small size and good temperament, and that I ride a quite upright stable bike that having her on the back in an appropriate carrier would not be a problem.

What I have found is this http://www.road-hound.com/ , carriers designed for motorcycles, bikes, scooters, etc, that are designed to actually protect a dog in case of impact. These are very expensive (about $300), and will soon no longer be made.

Has anyone found other solutions or ideas? or know a place that has these in stock or possibly at a lower price? I was thinking in some ways a trailer might be a greater risk in busy streets, and none have impact protecting carriers.

Thanks,
Softie

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PS
I've seen some strong reactions on other forums to this topic, so I want to put this waiver up just in case. I know for some people this is a sensitive issue, who think a dog should only be walked, moved in a car, or left at home. Please keep in mind I'm trying to find the safest was to transport my dog on a bike, and many people driving cars etc, do not put in the same effort (just think of what 50 mph accidents do to un-seatbelted or just kenneled dogs). Please keep that in mind if you do not happen to support the idea of biking with a dog, but also feel free to mention if you think there are other specific concerns to think about.

2 suggestions for you:

1) I used to carry my maltese in a backpack carrier. That worked well, but I wouldn't have wanted to do it for long.

2) Buy a used kid's trailer. Cars tend to give trailers a wider berth when they think there could be a child inside. Your doggie would probably be safer because of that than anywhere else. Plus, there's less distance to fall should something happen. Harness not collar to attach.

I doubt there's much that would seriously protect from a direct car hit at high speed -not a criticism (I used to bike with my doggie until he passed on), just an observation. I would focus more on typical bike accidents - falling over, wheel getting caught, etc. and making sure she's protected in that kind of situation.

CA

I have this one for my hybrid bike and it works great.

http://www.thepamperedpetmart.com/Me...e&qtk=6W6wrj6g

If you end up getting and using the trailer, could you please post a photo?

I've been tempted to get a trailer so I can bring one of the girls with me when I ride. Unfortunately, I don't think either of them could sit still to make it safe/enjoyable and the "lightest" one weighs in at 74lbs! ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ASammy1

I have this one for my hybrid bike and it works great.

http://www.thepamperedpetmart.com/Me...e&qtk=6W6wrj6g

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Do you find that feels secure to you (the attaching mechanism)? How much does it weigh? I do like the idea of being able to see her, and I think she'd feel safer being able to see me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Softie

Do you find that feels secure to you (the attaching mechanism)? How much does it weigh? I do like the idea of being able to see her, and I think she'd feel safer being able to see me.

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Hi Softie,

The actual basket is very light but since it's wicker very strong too. It feels very secure and I've actually taken it on some dirt/rock/sand/stick trails and have never had a problem. Here is a pic of my Maltese/Yorkie mix in it last Fall. FYI... the basket is too wide for drop bars.

Hi Mickchick,

I have looked at these www.doggyride.com and other dog specific trailers. My dog would be small enough to get away with a kiddie trailer like CA suggested. I think with your dogs size you would probably want a dog specific one. They'd have a flat floor instead of a little cloth seat with back like kiddie trailers. With two wheels it should be quite stable.

Mickchick-

I'd probably look at this for your babies:

http://www.cycletote.com/doggy_tote.html

I would consider it for Teddy (105# Golden), but I'm not sure I'm strong enough to pull him out of the driveway:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Here's another brand I've looked at. I'm not sure Chloe would apprciate a bike trip though.

http://www.wicycle.com/pet_bicycle_trailer_standard.php

A few trailer questions, if you've used one. How is biking with a trailer? Convenient? A pain? Hard to pull or steer or use on reasonably busy streets? Are they easy to lock up along with your bike? A trailer would have the advantage that I could put puppy or groceries in it depending on my needs.

I have a non-doggie trailer (2 wheel) that I use for errands. It's easy to ride with, and cars to give it a wider berth. When riding, unless climbing a hill, I rarely notice it. They really aren't much wider than handlebars, so your road position shouldn't change significantly. Locking it up - for mine, I need a separate cable lock. Where they are a bit more trouble is getting in and out of the house (I don't have a garage) and when walking the bike. Slow speed maneuvering can be a little tricky. Overall, though, I love it.

CA

A 10 lb dog could ride in it's regular Pet Taxi on a rear rack, couldn't it?

I had a Jack Russell that only weighed 10 lbs. She would have really enjoyed a bike ride, but she wouldn't have stay in the basket if she could find any way to get out!

Karen

[IMG]http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/r...yintrailer.jpg[/IMG]

I actually bought my bike trailer before I even had kids. I had a poodle that was my constant sidekick. I first bought a handlebar basket, but he didn't like the jerky movements and turning and would actually get sick from it. Doesn't say much for my "driving" does it! Then I bought the trailer and we were in our glory. We logged hundreds of miles with it. He has since died, and by then I did have kids and used it to haul them. Now they are too big and I am back to another poodle and an Airedale. The trailer can carry up to 130 pounds, so I have taken both of them along or just one and made a store run en route for groceries. It is really neat-- there is a zipper in the back where you can put your groceries behind the seat without having to unzip the front and risk the pet escaping. Although I have at times hooked them up to the seatbelts by their halters to be safe. The riding is overall smooth. When speed is maintained and then you start pedaling harder to speed up, or when coasting and you slow down then start pedaling again-- you can feel the tug of the trailer behind you. It has had no effect on bike control. I do have to make a wider turn on corners, but not so much that it is unsafe. When I do stop, maybe to take a hike, I lock up the bike but haven't locked the trailer with it. So far no incidences (*knock on wood*). I have had mine for over 12 years and it has served me well. I lived in the city and now I am in the country. The only problem I have had is having other dogs running up to the trailer in pursuit. I went down once, dumb accident, but the trailer remained upright.

A trailer is starting to sound like it might be a good idea. I really love taking Suggie places with me. With a good locking leash (they're lined inside with steel cables), I'm also thinking it might be a nice safe place for her to stay when I occasionally need to run in a store without her. How have you found the child trailers for groceries? Could it hold 50 lbs of food?

I'm currently lusting over the dog trailer from Croozer. Croozer is Chariot's "low end" brand but seeing as how Chariot makes amazing trailers their low end is pretty nice. This one holds 100lbs, folds flat, and is very spacious. It even has a ring where you can attach a short leash so your pup can't jump out the minute you open the door. I believe it also has a swivel at the attachment so if you wreck your pup stays upright. You can find them online in the neighborhood of $250.

http://www.croozerdesigns.com/dog.html

The trailer I have is sized for 2 kids. It could easily hold that much food with a dog along-- I've done it.

Thanks for all the info. Will wheel size make much of a difference? I'm noticing 16" vs 20" (20 being on a higher end model). Would it be much easier to ride with a 20 vs 16?

I've seen others with dogs in kiddie trailers. But putting the dog in with groceries? Sounds like a disaster to me! (unless it's broccoli)

I can just see me with groceries and Kali in a trailer. She'd leave a trail of crumbs all the way home. :D

Some dogs have restraint, you know. Well, no dog that I've ever met- but I'm certain there have to be good dogs out there somewhere that show restraint when around food. ;):D:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by cunninghamair

I've seen others with dogs in kiddie trailers. But putting the dog in with groceries? Sounds like a disaster to me! (unless it's broccoli)

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Even broccoli would not work with my boy. He has not met a food he does not like. I have to be careful with him.

If you decide to go the trailer route the Croozer dog trailer that Smurf mentioned above are nice. One of our fellow TE sisters has one which we got to play with at a TE gathering. Her Croozer(older version) can be used with the sides folded down as a flat bed cargo trailer sans doggie.

Child trailers are nice in that you can pick up a used one pretty cheaply and most of them have a compartment in the back for groceries/gear. I think Burley has the most rear cargo storage but their resale prices tend to be higher.

I have a Chariot child trailer for DD, which I love, but it doesn't have a lot of cargo capacity - no zippered cargo compartment like Burley, just a pocket and shallow cargo tray in rear. However, it is easy to attach a backpack to the handle bar if I need to carry more than the cargo pockets can hold.

Here's the thread about it:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...roozer+trailer

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Originally Posted by andtckrtoo

Even broccoli would not work with my boy. He has not met a food he does not like.

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LOL! He must be part aussie. :D

I've been looking at a 2 child bike trailer. My thinking is, generally I trust my dog with the food (anything sealed is safe), and with her being 10 lbs there should be ample seat / floor space to hold both of them. It also just occured to me, that if I'm looking for something with a bit more space, she might be cozier on a seat than in a 30x30 flat floor slipping around (again, because of her size). Though a Croozer looks so nice, and ultimately more practical for cargo, but the mini seems too tiny for groceries and the regular size is a lot more expensive than a child trailer (I'm a poor student).

Hm, does that make sense or are there things I should reconsider in my logic
about a kiddie cart for the dog and groceries? Is the soft floor okay for a stack of groceries or 10 lb dogs?

Thanks :)

I see the trailers on Craig's List all the time. You should be able to find one on there pretty cheap.

I took my dog Zeke (40 lbs) on the Katy Trail in a kid trailer. He wouldn't have been comfortable in the seat that the kids sit in, so I undid some screws on the bottom and rolled it up around the top bar that holds the seat up. Then, the floor was soft, like a hammock and would have made him uncomfortable over time. So, I put some pillows and blankets in there to stiffen it up. It didn't work that well. If I had had more time to prepare, I would have figured out something stiffer, which I could cushion the edges of so it wouldn't tear up the bottom of the trailer, and that wasn't heavy like a piece of plywood.

Karen

I've used a 2 kid trailer like wnyrider used for my 40 border collie. He barely fit in there comfortably:D He was way too nervous to sit down and the bottom isn't really sturdy. I tried putting in a hunting pillow (round, weather proof and in camo up here) and he didn't like it so I need to figure something out.

I have gotten him in it for one ride - my son's tag-a-long and son were attached to me on the hybrid and the dog in the carrier we attached to the tag-a-long. I was pulling an extra 120 pounds and I felt it:D We didn't crack 10 miles an hour but we had fun (well, except for the dog) and I felt like a traveling circus because everyone we saw had to come down to the road waving to see the sight!

Now that sounds like an exhausting trip (eep 120lbs of cargo kids and dogs!). It can remind me how easy I have it with a 10lb dog and some groceries.

I actually ordered a 2 child trailer yesterday. I hear with the addition of a more solid floor it works well with puppies and groceries (zip ties and hard plastic), and has the extra storage space at the back. I actually ordered it before my bike, but I'm picking up a bike next week too.