Here are some bike attachments that you can use to keep your dog and yourself safer when cycling if leash-holding or off-leash cycling isn’t for you.

• Springer
• BikerDog
• K-9 Bike Jogger

Springer

The Springer dog bike attachment is what Keeda and I use for cycling. It attaches to your bicycle’s seat pole. The device is very ‘springy’, taking away most of the pull of your dog. So if the dog jerks to the side or toward another dog you can easily keep on course. With my dog, who weighs about 20kgs and is medium-sized, I barely feel the pull, but of course this will vary with each dog.

Bikerdog

The BikerDog attaches to the rear triangle of the bike and supposedly reduces the risk of wobble. The BikerDog is built to be easily converted to a leash by removing one pin from the attachment, which is the one area where the Springer fails.

K-9 Bike Jogger

The K-9 Bike Jogger also claims to be able to transform into a leash easily. It is made of stainless steal and is fairly light weight. This attachment, like the Springer, is attached to the seat tube. One thing I didn’t like is that on their site they actually recommend attaching your dog by the collar. Having your dog pulling against the bike with the attachment on its collar can hurt its neck, so one would think that they would recommend a harness.

• Your dog’s breed and size
• Your dog’s fitness level
• The temperature/weather

Your Dog’s Breed and Size

A pug will never be able to run as far or as fast as a border collie. Whereas some dogs (such as herding breeds) tend to need a large amount of exercise other dogs (such as smaller dogs like chihuahuas and dachshunds) will may only need a walk around the block or so to tire themselves out. You always need to be careful not to push your dog too far when cycling and this is especially easy to do when cycling with smaller or overall less energetic breeds. By all means, cycle with your chihuahua – but keep in mind that you may only be able to go for a few minutes before your pooch gets tired and needs to go back home! Go at your dog’s pace and book exercise time and intensity accordingly.

Your Dog’s Fitness Level

You probably won’t be able to cycle for an hour with your dog if the dog is unfit when it comes to strenuous exercise (and cycling can be very strenuous). Going out for 15 or 20 minute intervals at first is a good idea, to gauge how your dog handles trotting alongside your bike. Also, getting your dog checked over by a vet and given the ‘OK’ to cycle is a great idea if you have the means to do so. If you have any suspicions that your dog may have weak joints or if it has had physical problems before take it to a vet before cycling! We at K9 Cyclers are not vets and will not attempt to give you professional medical advice when it comes to your dog.

The Temperature/Weather

Some dogs can go nonstop in any kind of heat; other dogs can barely drag themselves to the park when it’s hot and turn into unstoppable rockets when the weather is cool. Which type of dog is yours? If your dog gets overly fatigued in the heat you may need to wait until the weather has cooled off towards the evening (or early morning) for your scheduled cycling session or book a cycling session for a shorter period of time.