Cats on a bike?
 

I have been officially car-free for only a few months, but, in my mind, car-free for much longer than that (drove the car only from one parking spot to another so it didn't sit too long). The only obstacle I have come across is how to take my cats to the vet. I ride an old road bike and only have a quick-release rack for the back. I've googled bike pet-carriers and have yet to find anything worthwhile. What do you do? I took one of my cats on the bus, but would prefer not to do it again if I can avoid it. Any ideas?

Get one of those handy dandy pet carriers (small version) and strap it to the back rack? Our cat didn't mind riding in hers. Never took her on the bike...the vet was over 30 miles away:o I know of one lady whose cat rode in a front wicker basket. IIRC she kept a short leash on it, but the cat didn't seem to mind. The lady (and her cat) were quite the fixture in our area at the time I lived there.

Aaron:)

I actually see a guy in my neighborhood from time to time with a cat on a lease perched on the top of his backpack. I just cannot envision mine being okay with that. :) I was thinking it would be nice to have a sort of cat-backpack. That way I wouldn't be paranoid about the cage falling off, or my cat getting beat up going over bumps. Does such a thing even exist?
Too bad I don't have a front basket or a cat who would sit in one!

You might do better with a front rack that you can bungee a Pet Taxi to, that way you can keep an eye on them to make sure they're not freaking out too badly.

Try it bareback!

Hmmm, think he has leg issues with that pedaling style?

Not sure if it's such a good idea unless you've got a really laid back cat.Could
freak it out pretty bad.If you gotta,you should train them to do this.Then he/she can at least help pedalling.:)
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...ythestoker.jpg

So, I take duct tape is out?

I think your best solution would be a trailer and a pet box. Otherwise you may find yourself wearing a jersey made of sharpened cats.

Alright then. Duct tape. Although I do love my cats, I also love the mental image that comes to mind thinking of my cats duct taped to my body. :rolleyes:
Perhaps a trailer is not a bad investment for such an ordeal.
Thanks.

Over a couple of weeks ago I moved about four miles away. After I managed to finally "capture" our cat I managed to get her into the transport cage and rode my bike while holding the cage. She absolutely hated it and meowed the whole time. When I got home I let her out (she is an outside cat) and she ran away. I haven't seen her since and it's been over two weeks.:(

"Cats don't like riding on a bicycle....no matter how much duct tape you use."
-- Anonymous

Go back to the old house. I can almost guarantee that she went back. Outside cats are territorial... that's where her territory is.

We had a cat that was the same... once he decided he was an indoor-outdoor cat (He started darting for the door every time someone opened it) there wasn't much we could do.

We moved less than a block away... and though he came by to visit once in a while, he never came into the new house. :(

Another cat that we had (she adopted US... ran into the house one day and wouldn't leave!) was also an indoor/outdoor cat... my wife gave her to a friend when she had to move while I was on deployment... The friend lived more than 10 miles away... as soon as the cat got out of her house, she went straight back to the old house.

It's spendy, but Sherpa makes a cat-sized pet backpack.

If they're small enough, they can fit inside one's jacket. Here's the most precious cargo this bike messenger ever transported.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u...ouseguest6.jpg

This is the passenger. While on a bike ride, my housemate and her boyfriend found him flung into a thorn bush next to his dead sibling.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u...ouseguest2.jpg

He keeps growing, but they're taking him on the bike anytime they have to go anywhere. (He's still too small to be alone.)

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/IMG_0267.jpg

:roflmao::roflmao:
I can't imagine my cat enjoying a bike ride in any fashion. I just took my cat to the vet for her yearly check up when my roomate took his cat. Didn't feel to bad about catching a ride because he was already going. I wonder if cabs allow pets?

hey little buddy! what a cute little kitten!


http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/IMG_0267.jpg

Aw...that little one is adorable!:love:
What about something like this? I wonder how this would feel while riding? Cheap, yet seems like it may be a good idea perhaps with a few reinforcements.
Oh! I didn't even think about the cold! I may just have to brave the bus again in the winter. :eek:

Yeah, I've seen that too! I did a double take when the guy rode by with a cat standing on his shoulder. He stopped at the Dunkin Donuts, stood up, put the cat on the bike seat, and went into the donut shop. When he came out, the cat was still there; he picked it up again, put it back on his shoulder, and started riding again. He might have been wearing a backpack, I'm not sure; but I never saw a leash.

Awwww!!! So cute! Both the stoker cat and the rescued kitten.

I think with cats the main concept is not to train them, but to fool them into thinking that they want to do what you want. Maybe you could get them used to a small cat carrier in the house until they feel comfortable and secure in it. Start with just putting it on the bike, then gradually longer trips. Attach the carrier any way that is comfortable and safe for the kitty. And don't feed them just before in case they get bikesick. This works for cars and buses, so it would probably work for bikes too.

I've carried my terrier in a large backpack worn on my front and the terrier loved it with his front paws and head peeking out of the pack, but I'm not sure a cat would react as well.

I thought this thread was going to be about the sequal to "Snakes on a Plane".

I'm lucky in that there is a vet about 300m from my house. So I take the cats in a carrier on a pull wagon. (one cat fine to carry, both together plus carrier are heavy) A friend of mine takes the carrier inside of a bin style bicycle trailer. I would only do it on bike with trailer, not on any kind of rack contraption (for comfort of the kitties)

Once when I had a sick cat and my nearby vet was not open I took the cat in a taxi to the emergency vet. He didn't like riding in the car too much when he was sick, and I think it would have been a bumpier ride in a trailer.

You may want to check out your old neighborhood. Cats have been known to travel further to get back "home", especially outdoor cats. Try posting fliers with a picture and and talking to your old neighbors.

Good luck! I hope you find your kitty!

I'd be worried about some of the dogs that I've seen loose around my neighborhood giving a persistant chase when they see my crying kitty trapped in the Pet Taxi.

Our elderly cat hates travelling in the car in a cat cage and yowls like anything, but is always delighted to travel to the vet when her cat cage is carried on the back of my utility tricycle.

Hey Donnamb,

I was looking at your picutre and I was wondering are you a chick or a hippie with girly hands?

I can only see part of your hair and your hands. : )