How to take the dog on a bicycle: methods and tips

The bike is an ecological, dynamic means of transport and able to give a great sense of freedom. But… can we take the dog on the bicycle with us?

The answer is yes! Riding a bicycle with the dog can become a pleasant and healthy experience, as well as an opportunity to strengthen the bond with our little four-legged heart.

But attention, because we are talking about a means of transport, so it is fundamental to know the rules to follow, respect the law, choose the right accessories and gradually get the little darling used to this two-wheeled adventure.

In this article we therefore see how to take the dog on the bicycle in a safe and legal way, putting into practice all the actions and choices necessary to safeguard his well-being and his health.

Is it legal to take the dog on a bicycle?

Of course, you can take the dog on a bicycle, but it is absolutely necessary to respect what is provided by the Italian Highway Code.

In particular, article 170 talks about the transport of people and objects on motor vehicles and two-wheeled vehicles and, at point five, it underlines that the transport of animals is allowed provided that they are kept in a specific cage or container.

The article makes it clear that animals must not be transported without the due precautions: no arm, pole, handlebar or rear saddle, unless they have a comfortable and protected place where they can sit.

Another reference article is 182 of the Italian Highway Code, which explicitly prohibits taking the dog on a leash while riding a bicycle, naturally because this can be dangerous both for both of them and for other people.

Besides, let’s think about the risks we can run if we take dogs on a leash while riding a bicycle, maybe keeping a fast pace!

There are many unforeseen events to consider, such as for example obstacles on the roadway or sudden situations such as someone crossing the street…

If we keep the dog on a leash while we pedal it will be very difficult to react promptly and, above all, we will not have the ability to foresee the evolution of these so unpredictable events.

That is why the Italian Highway Code forbids it and, if you take the dog on a bicycle keeping him on a leash, administrative sanctions are provided that can vary from 26 to 102 €.

How to take a dog on a bicycle

To transport the dog on a bicycle we have available different supports, which allow the little furry one to stay comfortable and safe, and us to pedal with greater safety and freedom of movement.

The choice depends first of all on the dog’s size, but his temperament and the type of routes we want to do must also be considered. Let’s see what solutions exist to take a dog on a bicycle.

Bicycle dog carrier

Calling the bicycle dog carrier a container is a bit reductive and perhaps it is better to think of a “mobile kennel” that can have different shapes, but that basically is closed on three sides. On the market there are many types, made of different materials, from the more rigid carriers in plastic or metal up to the softer ones with internal padding.

Advantages

• It is a safe system to transport the dog on a bicycle;
• The little furry one can enjoy the landscape comfortably while sitting.

Disadvantages

• It is a solution suitable for small dogs, maximum 10 kilos, and the space in some models can be limited;
• It is not very suitable for long distances, because the carrier still has a weight (to which the little darling’s one is added) that can make pedaling more tiring.

Advice: choose a well-made dog carrier, easy to assemble/disassemble and that hosts the little furry one as comfortably as possible.

Bicycle dog trailer

The bicycle dog trailer is the suitable solution for medium and large-sized little darlings, because in this way we manage to transport them keeping them “on the ground”.

It is a sort of dog bicycle trailer that, usually, attaches to the rear of the bike. The difference with the Cargo Bike for dogs (also called dog carrier bicycle) is that the latter is a bicycle already equipped with an integrated front or rear compartment to host the little furry ones.

Advantages

• It is more spacious than the carrier;
• It is available in different sizes, even large ones to host large-sized dogs;
• It can be closed on all four sides, thus protecting the dog from weather agents;
• It offers a certain stability during the route, because these are dog trailers for bicycles designed and made for safe pedaling also in curves or descents.

Disadvantages

• At the beginning it can be a bit complicated to maneuver, especially if the little darling is large-sized;
• It requires calibrating distances well when we are on the road and having some precautions when we stop, because you have to consider the length of the “vehicle” as a whole.

Advice: choose a well-made bicycle dog trailer, suitable for the weight of the dog you are transporting, that is equipped with good suspensions and an adequate ventilation system if it provides closure on all four sides.

How to get the dog used to the bicycle

As happens for every new experience, it is necessary to give the dog the time and the way to get used to the bicycle trip.

The first advice is to get him used to it from when he is a puppy, so he can become familiar with the vehicle and with the actual experience. Here are the phases for a calm introduction:

• Let’s let the little darling become familiar with the bike while it is stationary. If he is small-sized we can place him on the carrier or on the trailer and see how he reacts, giving him cuddles to make him understand that he is in a safe situation;
• Let’s start with little: it is not good to do long routes right away, because it could be tiring for us and above all for the dog. Let’s start with routes of a few minutes in safe and known places, such as for example the home garden if we have it or a road that the little furry one knows because he has already walked it during walks;
• Let’s start from quiet areas: the first times let’s avoid choosing crowded, busy or perhaps complicated places to go through, because this could be frustrating and generate stress in the little furry one. Let’s choose not very crowded areas, secondary roads and quiet areas;
• Let’s gradually increase the distance and the difficulty of the route: if we see that the dog on the bicycle has a calm behavior let’s try to gradually increase distances and peculiarities of the route, maybe starting to go through more crowded roads (even if it is always good not to expose the little darling to traffic);
• Let’s pay attention to his behavior: how is the dog behaving on the bicycle? Does he show restlessness or anxiety? Maybe he barks excessively or does it at others? In this case let’s try to understand if we have done a gradual introduction and, if the situation is complicated and does not show signs of improving, let’s ask advice from our trusted dog trainer.
• Breaks and cuddles: going on a bicycle with the dog is an experience and, as such, it deserves to be lived calmly. Let’s therefore include frequent breaks, stop and give him a pat or reward him with an extra biscuit if we see that he maintains good behavior.

Transporting the dog on a bike safely: all the tips

When the dog comes on the bicycle with us every detail matters so that the experience can be safe and pleasant. Here are some good practices to follow:

• Let’s constantly check the dog: whether he is hosted in the carrier or on a trailer, let’s constantly check if the little furry one is fine and how he is experiencing the bike ride, especially if these are the first experiences;
• As seen before, let’s avoid busy roads, let’s always prefer cycle paths and, if we can, let’s prefer quiet roads, even better if in the countryside. This precaution is very important for the emotional and psychological health of our four-legged friend, because too many external stimuli, such as vehicles, noise and people could generate states of anxiety and stress in the dog.
• Attention to water: even if our little furry one is not in charge of pedaling it is fundamental to have with us a bottle of fresh water and a bowl so that he can drink, especially if the bike ride is a bit long and takes place on hot days;
• Hooks and safety belts: carrier models have systems that guarantee a secure fastening to the vehicle and the same applies to dog trailers for the bicycle. Let’s therefore make sure that the supports are perfectly attached before leaving;
• Let’s protect the dog from the sun:it is good to avoid going on a bicycle with the dog during the hottest hours, especially if the asphalt is scorching. This applies to him and to us, and it is in any case good practice to protect his coat and his skin from harmful rays. In what way? With a high-quality sunscreen product dedicated to his needs such as a sunscreen spray with an adequate protection factor.

Ideal routes to go on a bicycle with the dog

Where to go on a bicycle with the dog to have a world of fun and let him stay in the middle of nature?

• Parks and green areas: the urban choice looks at parks, green areas and all those cycle paths that go through natural areas, with trees that make nice shade. To find them you can look on the web and search for the ones closest to where we live, also because if there are nice parks the little furry one can stretch his legs with a nice run or walk on the grass;
• Routes far from traffic: we repeat this point because it is very important, since safe and quiet areas are always to be preferred to busy and noisy ones;
• Routes suitable for weather conditions: in summer, when the days are very hot, the asphalt could be scorching. Conversely, on cold days a cycle path that is in the shade could have icy stretches, especially in the morning. The advice is to explore the area, perhaps taking a look at routes with specific apps and choose “climatically happy” routes, that is, protected from bad weather and never exposed to too much heat or too much cold.

Today we have seen how to organize the transport of the dog on a bicycle in a safe and calm way and what choices to make to live protected and pleasant experiences for both. If you want to discover how to best experience your mountain excursions with your dog, read our article with all the useful rules and tips. Start your adventure right away with your faithful companion!