Bikejoring: Our Top Tips For A Stress-Free Adventure
It might seem simple: just you, your dog, a bike, a leash and the open road. But as it turns out, bikejoring isn't 100% just fun and games! Here's how to ensure a safe, fun adventure for both you & your buddy.
If you’re on the sporty side, you might’ve considered bikejoring – or the dog sport where you cycle with your dog attached to your bike, pulling it forward with special equipment. Whether you’re an expert cyclist or just starting out, we’ve got the ultimate guide to bikejoring right here. (Including the fail-proof emergency measure to take in case your buddy runs off away from safety – loved by bikejoring champions around the world!) So you can enjoy your outdoor adventures, 100% stress-free.
Bikejoring is essentially riding a bike with a dog (or dogs) pulling you. Instead of a bike, you can also use a dog scooter. It’s a great way to stay fit together and spend some quality time with your buddy. Your dog will enjoy the fresh air and chance to stretch their legs – and you’ll both benefit tremendously from the time in nature.
Our top bikejoring tips – from a dog sports champion
In some parts of the world (like Queensland, Australia), leading your dog while riding a bike is not legal. Be sure to follow your local laws and guidelines to protect yourself, your dog, and others. But if you’ve checked everything and are good to go, here’s how to get started.
Figure out if bikejoring is a good fit for your dog
Remember: bikejoring can be fun, but also pretty physically demanding – both for you and your dog! So before you two head outdoors, keep in mind your dog’s:
Level of fitness Some dog breeds are born to run, others might struggle to keep up with you on a bike.
Age Puppies have a ton of energy, but their little legs might not be built for biking or hiking trails. Likewise, senior dogs might need a slower pace and more frequent breaks.
Overall health Your vet can help you figure out if your buddy’s in good enough physical condition for such a strenuous physical activity.
Size Smaller dog breeds with short legs might not be able to keep up or might tire out more easily.
In a nutshell: bikejoring might not be always be the best fit for your dog. Rather, you could keep your buddy active with some other fun indoor games for dogs and regular walks instead. Else, you could bring them along in a dog bike carrier, basket, backpack or trailer.
You could also try a practice run of biking in your immediate neighborhood. Or even your backyard (if you have enough space) to see how your dog responds to it. It’s also a good idea to get the green light from your vet before beginning any strenuous physical activities.
Make sure your dog is well-trained
An out of control puppy or dog that’s never had any behavioral training won’t make a good cycling buddy! The last thing you want is your dog bolting after a bird and ignoring your commands while you’re out riding a bike with them. You could firstly get hurt in a bike accident. Or you could lose hold of the leash and your dog would be gone.
So always make sure your dog is well-trained and behaved first, and knows how to walk nicely with you on the (loose) leash, before you attempt biking together.
Jerome shares:
“…when I’m training (my 3 dogs), I make sure to train only one dog at a time. This gives me better control over their movements.
For example, I never go free running with all 3 of my dogs all at once.
Rather, it’s better to train them one by one – so you can better intervene in case they get too excited. (And don’t listen to your commands.)”
Always keep in mind: bikejoring doesn’t just happen overnight. If your dog has never been around a bike before, they might be scared, overly excited, or unsure what to do. So start off by slowly introducing your dog to the bike and then walking the bike along with your dog. This is an easy way to get your furry buddy used to the bike.
Then, start out easy by riding at a walking speed for a short distance. As your dog gets used to this, you can try biking a bit faster. Gradually increase the time you spend biking, and don’t expect your dog to be able to run for long distances in the beginning. Just like us, dogs need time to get used to a new exercise.
Finally, always keep an eye on how your dog’s doing so that you can stop or adjust your pace according to their needs.It can take quite some time to get a dog used to being around a bike, but with patience and some positive reinforcement, it can be done!
Get the right bikejoring gear
Once you have the feeling that your dog is fit and mature enough to run on the leash beside you, it’s time to get the right bikejoring gear. This includes:
Bicycle dog leash A leash that attaches to your bicycle, so your dog can run safely, away from the wheels of the bike
Comfortable dog harness When biking with your dog, always use a harness rather than attaching the leash to the collar. Choose a reflective harness to make your dog more visible or add reflective tape to your dog’s current harness.
Lights Both for your dog and bike, lights are especially important if you could be biking at dusk or night.
Snacks, water and collapsible bowl Bring some healthy dog treats and water for both you and your dog to keep you fueled throughout your bike ride.
Dog carrier If you’re going on a longer trip, you may want to have the option to let your dog ride along in a carrier, trailer or basket in case they get tired. Better not wear out your furry friend!
Optional You might also want to take with you a normal dog leash for walking without the bike, dog boots, a warm jacket for your dog or rain gear.
Take care of your dog’s paws
Beware of asphalt and rough terrain. While dogs’ paw pads are tougher than human feet, they too can be sensitive to rough terrain. Ideally, bikejoring on grass or dirt trails is best, but this is not always possible.
If biking on pavement is necessary, make sure you give your dog’s pads time to toughen up – step by step. Mix up the terrain you bike on so that your dog is not constantly running on pavement. For this, dog boots can be a good idea. But each dog is different, and some dogs hate booties so much that you’ll never get them to keep them on.
Finally, make sure to check their paws after a ride for cactus needles, stones or small cuts.
Be extra careful in warm weather
Bikejoring on warm days can be challenging. Extreme overheating can lead to heat stroke in dogs, a life-threatening illness. So you’ll want to choose a dog friendly path, in the shade if possible and avoid biking on days when it’s too hot outside. Bring along plenty of water and take breaks frequently.
Be a respectful biker
While biking with your dog, you also want to be mindful and respectful of others, and nature. Pick up after your dog, and follow the leave no trace rule. Likewise, keep your dog close or on a leash, and don’t let them bother other people or dogs. Not everybody likes dogs, no matter how friendly yours is, so keep a respectful distance to passersby.
⚠️ In some areas, bikejoring is allowed and in other areas, it isn’t. For example, in some countries, bikejoring is only allowed when the dog is on-leash. So make sure you inform yourself about the rules in your area before heading out.
Use a GPS Tracker as an emergency measure
Even the best-trained dogs can get distracted, tangled in gear, or startled by wildlife. But with a dog GPS tracker strapped to their collar, you can always keep an eye them – no matter where your adventure takes you.
For example, with your Tractive GPS, for example, you can:
Track your dog’s movements in real-time Which can be a potential lifesaver if they break free, run away from getting spooked, or take an unexpected detour.
Retrace your dog’s steps By checking their Heat Map & Location History if they disappear into the woods or run off-trail.
Pictured: Tractive GPS Dog Tracker
Get alerted if your dog escapes a “safe zone” Via your tracker’s Virtual Fence feature, which can come in handy if you two are out camping or resting between runs.
Track your dog’s exercise progress Bikejoring is physically demanding, and tracking your dog’s activity levels and recovery time can help prevent exhaustion or injury. With its built-in motion detector, your Tractive GPS also comes equipped with Activity Tracking to help you ensure your buddy isn’t overexerting themselves.
In remote areas, having a reliable GPS tracker provides peace of mind, so you can enjoy the ride without worrying about your dog’s safety. Whether you’re training, racing, or just exploring new trails together, your trusty Tractive device helps keep your four-legged adventure partner safe and within reach.
Ready for a fun, stress-free bikejoring experience?
Regular walks and playtime go a long way – but we know you need a little more challenge than that! So with a little planning and prep, you can safely take your dog bikejoring with you with minimal stress. With these tips, you’ll be ready to start your safe biking adventure together. Fresh air, exercise and time spent together – it doesn’t get much better than that, does it?
Follow every step in real-time with unlimited range. Get alerts if they wander too far. Keep them happy & healthy with Wellness Monitoring. And let others – like walkers or sitters – keep an eye on your dog too.
