Biking with pets?
 

Just moved here to Chicago and my office has an open pet policy. It's pretty nice, especially since I can use the lakefront trail to get from Lakeview to downtown. So far I've been commuting with my medium sized (25lbs and 2 yrs. old) dog in a wood crate up front (harness strapped to the front rack) but the caveat is that he's always moving around and barking at other dogs. There have been some pretty hairy occasions where I've almost wiped. Anyone else who commutes with dogs/cats have any advice on making the travel smoother (eg. harnesses, packs, leashes)? And if you have pics of your setup, all the better...

Have you considered a rear rack with a carrier attached? If your dog is the type to lunge at others, it might be wise to contain him inside a pet carrier strapped to the rear rack where it won't have as much of an effect on the handling of your bike. Otherwise, you might consider a trailer unless you think your dog will tear his way through the fabric during your commute.

My Havanese rides comfortably in a trailer, but he's also very quiet and calm during our rides.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7mFni9i9Sb...run-Nov09c.jpg

I picked up one of these a few months ago. We haven't used it yet so I don't have a review, however we have it set up in our living room and the dogs love hangin' out in it :D

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

I think I`d go for a setup where he can not see other dogs, or take him to a class to get help to train him to stop behaving like that.

Mine also gets exited when meeting other dogs, but always just happy. When he is running next to the bike he`ll pull to get to other dogs. When he is in the bag (see link) often w no leash he`ll sit still, as if he knows he can not "act out" when on the bike.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...+a+new+dogbike

I cycle with a Pomeranian (hence the handle of PomPilot ;) ). When carrying the dog, I use a leg out carrier by Outward Hound.
http://di1.shopping.com/images/pi/b2...223716&r=2
The furry one also wears a pair of Doggles, and usually a 'helmet' (actually a wiffle ball cut into a cap). :rolleyes: I don't have a photo of us on the computer here at work, but will try to find one after I get home.

Great suggestions folks! I will definitely start retrofitting my bike now that the weather is warmer and commuting is so much easier without all the winter gear.

Alfster-I love the idea of having a trailer. Should have thought of that! How heavy is it and easy to maneuver around stairs? (I live in an walkup apartment.)

badmother- That's a terrific bike! Did you retro fit it yourself? And your dog is adorable!

PomPilot- I've seen these for babies, but never dogs. Just might consider getting one, but not sure if the doggie is going to grow any bigger. That could be a funny sight though carrying a 25+ lbs dog strapped to my tummy.

Well, I found a photo of my riding partner getting ready to go for a ride. And one of the two of us. This is where the chest carrier comes into play.

FWIW, Merry (the Pom) weighs in around 10 pounds when she is in her full coat. During the warm summer months, she gets a shorter hair cut, and looses about a pound.

OMG that is cute! Does Merry stay quiet while riding or does she squirm at all? Pepper would NOT sit still in the chest carrier. I'm not even sure he'd cooperate in a basket, which I would love to use for him. So, he rides in a trailer but he seems very content with that mode of transportation.

Here's a pic of Pepper and some extra cargo:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post10230810

Surprisingly, she is a very calm rider. When she first started (six years ago, at 6 months of age), she would bat at her doggles and 'helmet' when we would wait for traffic lights. But after a couple of weeks, she got used to wearing them, and now associates them with going for a ride.

I am so envious that's she's a calm rider! And she fit perfectly on your chest!

croozer pet trailers?
 

Check these out - they are quite popular in our area - http://www.croozerdesigns.com/dog.html

cheers

sean

www.bikebike.ca

I posted a video of our first ride with the trailer in the General Discussion Forum ... http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...a-bike-trailer . I should have remembered to post it here instead. Oops.

The trailer folds up to a manageable size. Should be easy to carry up stairs. It weights 24 lbs. However someone posted a link to a MUCH cheaper trailer from Nashbar that looks very similar to the one I purchased. You might want to check that one out instead.

This is my best way to I can figure to keep her safe. Well, as safe as calculated risks can allow. A regualr harness and a strap to the bars woven between the basket wire. She must sit or lay, but cannot get her paws over the edge of the basket...............BTW, this is on the Cross Island Trail on Kent Island Md. (across bay from Annapolis). The wife(and Hannah) are on her restored 1967 Western Flyer/ Nexus 7. I'm trailing with Biskit the cattle dog on a retractable long lead.




http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xyLx9uS-Z6g/S6...6/CIMG2845.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xyLx9uS-Z6g/S6...6/CIMG2843.JPG

I travel with my dogs all the time! One of the first suggestions with a reactive dog is to train him to be calm in whatever carrier/trailer you have. The last thing you want is the embodyment of Rover Road Rage. Place the dog in the carrier/trailer & treat him for calm behavior, then go to the park, and don't ride just let your dog see other dogs passing him by and treat for calm behavior, your dog should soon realize that other dogs are good things, and when they are present good things happen. Once your dog is calm, you start riding (it is not a long process, dogs catch on real quick) and you will soon have a calm travehttp://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=147837ler. When I travel with one dog (they are small), I use a handlebar carrier, when they both come along I use the trailer.http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=147836

Well, I weighed the options and for the price and flexibility, I ended up purchasing a solvit medium trailer. Thus far, it's been absolutely awesome, albeit with some extra weight to pull. Milo (my dog) still barks, but not as much and I think he ends up more comfortable compared to riding in a crate up front. Thanks for all the great pictures and suggestions. It definitely has helped make the commute much easier.