Tips for biking with a dog.
Part 1) Dogs in a trailer or on a cargo bike
The new cycling season has already begun. And thanks to the boom in cargo bikes and e-mobility by bike, our four-legged friends also have the option of expanding their walks in an environmentally friendly way. Whether in a cargo bike, dog bike trailer, or behind a mountain bike, those slightly more distant destinations (stream, swimming pond, dog park, or a good canine friend) are no longer a problem.
There's now a wide selection of cargo bikes and bike trailers for transporting dogs. Criteria such as dog size and weight, the preferred terrain for traveling with the dog and bike, whether a cargo bike for dogs has or has no access opening, and whether it has or has no suspension are all important factors to consider when making a purchase decision.
But choosing the right additional equipment for your dog in the trailer or transport box is also important . In addition to a good harness for safety and a comfortable bed, protecting your dog's eyes from dust, sand, insects, flying stones, and, last but not least, wind is another important consideration.
In a dog trailer for your bike, in a transport box, or on a cargo bike, your dog may be just a few centimeters above the road . There, the dust and the bombardment of small stones or branches are much higher than you'd expect from the rider's higher seating position. If there are one or more bikes in front of you, it's even worse.
Most bike trailers for dogs do have a protective net (I have observed several times that on warm days this protective net was folded up to allow a little more air or cooling into the trailer), but the finest dust that is constantly stirred up by the rear wheel cannot be completely repelled.
Cycling is the most enjoyable and relaxing in the great outdoors . And luckily, that's where most insects are found; they only become annoying when they get painfully into the eyes. Most dogs look out while riding, wanting to see and smell where they're going and who else is around. This is bound to happen when an insect or two comes on a collision course and hits the dog's eye.
Almost everyone knows, especially when it comes to wind, that conjunctivitis can occur if your dog is exposed to it for a long period of time. However, the dust, foreign bodies, and even pollen mentioned above can also trigger conjunctivitis. Depending on the extent of the inflammation, mild cases can be easily treated by a veterinarian, and the dog's eye can recover quickly. If the eye begins to fester, treatment is more complex, and you should urgently consult a veterinarian.
Investing in good dog goggles reduces the risk of injury and saves money by preventing vet visits. This way, nothing stands in the way of unadulterated enjoyment of riding a cargo bike or dog trailer when it comes to your dog's eyes.
Michi describes how important the glasses are for her terrier mix Friedrich.
Click here to go to Michi and Friedrich’s IG profile
If you want a little more
At first, Friedrich rode along in a self-built box on a regular trekking bike. That works perfectly for Berlin and other relatively flat areas. But what if the focus of his life shifts to the Sauerland region, and the relaxed weekend trekking tours turn into extended gravel routes with +80km and ups and downs? Then you might have to think of something new if you want your best friend to still be along for the ride. With a cargo bike and a bit of electronic assistance, you can keep up with your gravel partner, dog, and mountain, and take a bit more provisions with you. But you just have to be made for the gravel route, i.e. over hill and dale and through forest and field ;) Even if the electric assistance is really only needed on the mountains, you can get up to speed pretty quickly with this vehicle. Especially through the forest and on gravel paths, the occasional missile from the person in front of you is likely to fly up into the faces of dogs and people. So the goggles not only provide protection from the wind, but also from falling rocks.
What features should dog goggles have for transport in a cargo bike?
A large field of view
- Provides maximum visibility and also protects a large area around the eyes.
High-quality upholstery
- Your dog can wear comfortable glasses for many hours without getting pressure points or abrasions.
A lightweight frame
- If the glasses are barely noticeable to your dog, acceptance increases and a low weight of the glasses increases wearing comfort.
Good ventilation
- There must be enough space behind the pane so that the air heated by the sun can circulate and escape upwards through large ventilation openings.
Protected ventilation openings
- For cycling, this is, in my opinion, the most important point. If dust, sand, foreign bodies, and, in the worst case, biting insects were to get inside the glasses through openings, the consequences would be disastrous. A high-quality, robust fabric allows air to circulate and reliably protects the inside of the glasses from foreign bodies.
Secure hold
- If the dog goggles are designed specifically for the dog's head, they will stay on the dog's nose almost automatically. The straps can be adjusted for maximum comfort.
Elastic and flexibly adjustable chin straps
- Your dog must be able to pant without any problems.
Interchangeable discs
- Lenses can be selected for any lighting conditions. This is especially important for light-sensitive dogs.
