Safety First: Biking Etiquette and Precautions

Do you long for your canine companion each time you go on a solo bike ride? If yes, you must have surely considered taking your dog along to enjoy your trips together! However, we are pretty sure that the next thought that comes to your mind each time you think about it is whether they will be safe or comfortable.  Is it safe to bike with pets? Yes, definitely  – if you do it right. Here is a quick guide and a few dog biking tips to help you bike with your dog safely so that you never have to leave your buddy behind. Let’s dive right in! Which dog breeds are best for riding? It’s obviously extremely important to check if your dog is even suitable for riding in the pet bike basket. Make sure that your dog’s size and weight is within the basket's defined capacity.  In general, small and medium-size dogs with weight under 11 kg are perfect for riding in pet baskets. Riding with a large and heavy dog in the basket may cause damage to the basket and will make it difficult to ...

First things first. Why should anyone be concerned whether someone has actually trained the dog to trot or run alongside a bike? Because it can be dangerous, not only for you and your dog, but for others as well. All kinds of accidents can occur, some more milder than others, but when people start really getting hurt, it’s time to review exactly how we look at this activity and what we do to ensure the safest conditions. And this would be entirely pointless if it wasn’t also acknowledged the exercise benefits for dogs! Believe it, I know, I bike my own. However, keep in mind, biking dogs is not for everyone and every dog. It’s wise to check with a veterinarian who can assess whether biking would be beneficial and your dog is physically healthy. Why train Since biking dogs can be dangerous it’s wise to train dogs using specific verbal signals enabling you, the human part of the equation to manage the dog’s behavior and avoid accidents and injuries. When first training my last Doberman...

 As we dog owners know, life is better with your dog, especially when it comes to outdoor activities. And that goes for mountain biking too. If you like to get on a bike and ride the trails, your dog doesn't have to stay home — they can run along with you! Of course, adding a mountain bike into the mix makes hitting the trails with your dog a little more complicated. That's why we talked to Erica Aarons, Rex Specs' Senior Digital Marketing Manager and dog mom to Maya, about her tips for mountain biking with dogs . Aarons has been mountain biking with her pup for over two years and has compiled her top tips for how to take your dog with you on your mountain biking adventure. Training a Mountain Biking Trail Dog "Training your dog to mountain bike with you really starts with basic obedience," says Aarons. Your dog needs to have good recall, know how to heel, sit, and have other basic obedience down. Once your dog is rock solid on the basics, you can start to train t...

Going for a walk can be one of the most exciting parts of a dog’s day, but some pups just need to feel the wind in their fur. A bicycle ride is a fun way to spend time with your pooch outside, get some exercise, and fulfill your dog’s need for speed. But it’s important to stay safe. In addition to following basic biking safety guidelines and obeying the rules of the road, there are some additional safety measures you’ll need to take when you bring your dog along on a bike ride. When the Fur Flies: Jetting With Pets Here’s what you should do to stay safe while biking with your dog. Make Sure Your Dog Can Handle This A man stops to give his dog a drink of water from a hydrations system, while on a mountain bike ride. (Picture Credit: Getty Images) If you want your pooch to trot along next to you while you ride your bike, there are a lot of things you need to do before you even set foot outside. First, take a look at your dog. If they’re prone to breathing problems, which are especially c...

Riding a bike with a running dog as a companion can be done safely. If you put in the time for training, invest in the proper equipment, and follow some safety rules, the activity can be fun and safe for you both. Equipment for the cyclist You’ll need some basic bicycling equipment:     A bike that’s suitable for the terrain where you plan to ride (hybrid bikes are ideal for mainly paved roads, dirt roads, well-mowed fields, and smooth bike trails; mountain bikes are best dirt trails with rougher terrain)     Well-fitting helmet     A water bottle or two (your dog may need more water than you!)     A spare tube or tire repair kit and a tire pump     ID, money (or a credit card), and a cell phone Beware the “Bike Monster” Silhouetted Cyclist And Dog Trying to hold onto your dog’s leash, or tying it to your bike’s handlebars, is a sure way to crash your bike and potentially hurt and scare your dog. Letting go of your dog’s leash may save y...

Good preparation and correct equipment is vital to ensure safety while biking with your dog . Together with Viktor and Linn Beate Sinding-Larsen, World champions in bikejoring we made a to-do list. Equipment I an addition to your dog having to have the correct harness and equipment for bikejoring your equipment should also be fitting for this activity. -Before each trip you should check that your equipment is in good condition. When biking with dogs, there are some additional details to pay attention to. This is important in order to avoid injuries, says Viktor. Pay special attention to the paws. With the high speed of bikejoring, there is a higher risk of the dogs paws wearing out faster. Therefore, you should always have dog booties when out biking. The bungee and the attachment points also have a high potential of injury if they break. You should always check if there are any tears or wear on them. Bike Handlebar: This part of the bike has the biggest potential to injure both you an...