Dogs in the bike trailer

[Roastonbone]

TL;DR version: Threw two dogs in a crate in a bike trailer and biked with them to a place we would normally drive to, which was awesome.

The wife and I have been trying to embrace the biking lifestyle lately. So far biking to get groceries has been fine, including a recent trip to Costco with ~50 lbs of stuff to haul back in the trailer. But one hangup that we hadn't really addressed was taking our two (littleish) dogs with us when we go biking around town. We like to take them out farther than walking distance occasionally and this was super easy with their crates loaded up in a car.

So we finally got around to experimenting a bit yesterday. Put a dog in the trailer. He immediately jumped out. Do Not Want. Tied him to a strap inside the bike trailer. Struggled, then jumped out. Tied him, closed bike trailer cover with all velcro spots closed. Wriggled out from a seam. OK, this is not working.

But then we had the idea of just throwing the crate in the bike trailer. Yes, I know this does not seem like a huge logical leap but I guess the main thing I am celebrating was that HOLY COW the crate fit PERFECTLY. This is just one of those things that worked out so well I don't think we could have planned it any better even if we had been looking for this sort of thing on purpose. The two (identical) crates that we have are both slightly too big for one of our dogs so we just smooshed them together in one crate (probably not appropriate for longer than maybe a 15-20 min ride due to this) and put it in the trailer where it fit like it was specifically designed for this trailer. I guess I don't have any real "badassity" to share here but sometimes something in life just Works Out and it makes you jump for joy.

Oh yeah, maybe a tiny tip to share here. The crate seemed pretty secure in the trailer without any sort of restraints or cords or anything but it still made us a bit nervous. But then *ding* light bulb moment - there are two pins that go in to the rear supports of the trailer to keep it from collapsing, and these pins are attached to the inside of the trailer with some plastic. So we just looped the pins through the wire of the crate and then into the supports of the trailer and tada! secure crate.


Of course since everything was working out so great, the universe felt the need to crap on the parade for balance. One of the dogs nervous-pooped all over the inside during the ride.

[Mayan]

Interesting idea - glad to see it worked out for you!  I don't have a bike trailer, but will definitely have to try this if I end up purchasing one down the road.  I often find myself driving to parks that are within biking distance in order to bring my dog along. 

[StarswirlTheMustached]

If yours is a larger or high-energy breed of dog, you might be able to train them to ride alongside you on the sidewalk (if there are sidewalks)  and/or on back roads. I used to see people doing this fairly regularly when I lived in a more bike-friendly area. (Another fun option is roller blades).

I haven't tried any of those because my dog is too flighty and needs a firm hand on her leash-- something that doesn't go well with balancing on a wheeled vehicle.  That said, she has little conception of "walking distance" and will hike all day if I'm willing, so I've never really wanted to stick her in the bike to go anywhere.