Utility Cycling - Pet transport

Over on Another Board (not a cycling board) I mentioned using a bike trailer or a specially designed basket to transport a pet, and the reaction was that the idea was totally crazy and that it was much, much too dangerous to carry a pet that way.

1. Have any of you transported your pets thus?

2. What would you say to someone who was nervous about doing so?

3. Are there any particular products that you would recommend or discommend?

They make trailers just for this.

A post a while back:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=369385

Try the Search, there may be others as well.

I see a lot of this. My recommendation would be a small pet. :)

Yes, I know about the trailers and baskets made to transport pets (and children for that matter.) My concern is to demonsrate that given the equipment that it is safe to do so.

These people seem to think that even an adult cycist is taking his life in his/her hands when s/he goes out on the road with cars. I tell them that I do it, and nobody's killed me that I've noticed, and I don't think that my Guardian Angel has sprained his left wing on my account.

Yes, I know about the trailers and baskets made to transport pets (and children for that matter.) My concern is to demonsrate that given the equipment that it is safe to do so....

I'd mention the way most four legged pals are transported in cars is totally unsafe. No seatbelt means a relatively slow speed crash can send them through the windshield.

My dog is sometimes running next to the bike, sommetimes riding in an open basket in a trailer if a long ride.

Last friday for the first time sitting innside the "bag" on my "homemade extra". Decided not to tie him to the bike that time, since he had no harness on.

Decided he would be safer falling off if he was not tied to the bike thinking I could not stop fast enough. Next time harness and tied to bike to help him feel safe and relax.

Easy dog to be around this one, he`ll trust me and do what I tell him. Bordercollie. A bit odd to ride with a 26 kg dog on one side and nothing on the other, but got used.

I have seen many transport their pet on their rear rack in like milk crates. My question, since I worry about their safety . Maybe a seat belt. How about a mini helmet for your mutt. ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m7-BEsc0W8 . chocolate lab *and* human cargo.

disclosure: i sell these bikes.

i've transported our cats (usually to/from the vet) and a small dog often in the touring pannier of a brompton folding bike, too. scroll down: http://clevercycles.com/?p=100

when our poodle rides unrestrained in the bakfiets, he tends to fall out forwards on his chest in hard braking, then hops right back in like nothing happened.