Biking with Dogs - Page 1

Hey all.

My latest idea is to, in a month or so, get a bike and start biking with my dog (and possibly my cat... if any cat would, it'd be her, lol, but that's beside the point). Actually I'm looking to get one of the adult-sized tricycles. I don't know how to ride a bike, and with my bad back, I don't really want to start learning (and subsequently falling). Anyway, I'm looking also into one of the dog attachments, like the Springer or the Walky Dog. The Springer is pricey though. The Walky Dog also seems to have mixed reviews, but I am mainly wondering if one of those items would even *work* with the trike. The last thing I want is to injure my dog and/or myself. I also found a sort of DIY combination (sorta) of the two.

DIY one - http://www.instructables.com/id/Bike-Dog-Walker/
Walky Dog - http://www.thedogoutdoors.com/walkydog-dog-bike-leash.html
Springer - http://www.springeramerica.com/

And this is the Trike I'm looking at. *go ahead and laugh, I can take it LOL*
http://www.walmart.com/ip/26-Schwinn-Meridian-Adult-Tricycle-Dark-Cherry/12016722

Anyways, I am wondering, I guess, for those of you who bike with your dogs and one of these gadgets, do you think it would work with this bike? I am doubting the springer would, seeing as it attaches under the seat, and comes down before it goes out, but maybe if the Walky Dog was angled perpendicular to the bike? I'm almost leaning to the DIY one, since I can control the length that way... dunno.

And what kind of harness does everyone use for these attachments? The only harness I have for her right now is a leather agitation harness, but it is so thick and heavy, I know I wouldn't want to run in it.
 
Oh, and I DID look up old threads on this, for what its worth...

ETA: I meant to put this in the "Main" forum, if a Mod could move it.... but I guess it would work here too.

I just use a regular old leash.  has worked for me for at least the past 10 years.  

Do you mean you are physically unable to learn to ride a bike at this point because of your back? Or you are unsure of the possibility? Forget the cat thing, right now!

I *can* learn to ride one, I just don't want to. Never did. Kinda freaks me out. I like the added support of the third wheel, frankly, so as I told my dad "Looks like I'm trikin' it!"  My bad back is not the topic here.

I walk my cat on a leash with my shepherd all the time. Get her a little basket on the front... I honestly think she would, LOL! One-of-a-kind kitty, for sure.

Thanks for your input, zdog! If all else fails... :)

Trikes tip over all of the time

I highly doubt as often or as easily as a bike would. It's not like I'm handicapped, and only days away from never being able to stand up again... it is a personal preference thing. If I happen to take a spill every now and then fine, I'll live.

I think your best bet would be to go with the home made model. If you did go with the springer you'd have to angle the drop forward so that it's in front of the wheel. You would then need a lead long enough to give the dog enough room without worrying about the wheel. You'd also have to train the dog to stay out away from the bike so it doesn't hit the wheel and so the lead doesn't come into contact with the wheel. Just my uneducated opinion.

You know what worked for my kid that had a slow bike learning start? The electric scooters.... try that first!   Leave the cat at home... LOL

I bike with two wheels. But there is a lady in the neighborhood that bikes with a trik. Works great for her, she's got a medium sized mixed breed and they really seem to enjoy the exercise. I also bike with a leash and pinch collar because something my dog will flake out of something (or nothing) and bolt sideways. So far i haven't ate any gravel, but i'm sure the day will come. What i do to give me a second to react is a bike Payne fairly close and have a loose loop of leash held in two fingers against the handle bar. If she bolts, i have the release of the loop to alert me and enough time to grab the brake. You might be fine with just a leash. Try it first and see how it works. Plus i'm not sure how you would attach the Springer or Walkie to a trik? Most mount to the seat post. ? Hummm....
Anyway, be careful and have fun.
Fry

Or... I have heard of this.....http://www.jgsbikes.com/Amtryke-1000-Recreation-Hand-Cycle-Recum-p/50-hc-1000.htm?click=5