cudak888 

Then try this on for size:





https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/bik/785665994.html

"Bike and dogs not included." You furnish the stupidity.

-Kurt

lmxloco

Jesus...not only do they not have any way to reel in the dog for oncoming ANYTHING (cyclists, cars, whatever), that's just asking for an accident.

I mean, if you've got a dog that has enough size so that you aren't cycling at a snail's pace, then that dog has enough size so that if he decides to stop or change direction suddenly, you and you're bike are going to have a nice meeting with Mr. Pavement.

What an idiotic idea....truly idiotic.

CliftonGK1

I've been working with my dog so she can run on a leader along side my bike. Of course, I won't take a contraption like that anywhere except the sidewalk around my neighbourhood, and I'd likely only encounter other people walking their dogs.
My dog likes to run, and I can't run with her. I think cycling with her is a great solution, except for her getting excited and trying to run in front of my bike. Sometimes she's not a very smart dog.

DataJunkie

Early last spring I encountered a cyclist on a hybrid walking his dog with its leash attached to a contraption that had a large spring on the back of his bike. Just odd. Being that they were riding through a busy parking lot I sure hope that dog never meets the wheel of a car.

sauerwald

I used to see this lady who had a harness which held four huskies, and was tethered to a mountain bike - she mostly 'rode' on trails, and those dogs looked like they were having loads of fun!

pwyll99

Years back, here is Portland I saw one guy who had a shelf attached to the right side of his bike by the back wheel wide enough so his dog could stand/sit on it. The supports created a cage of sorts to the sides. Anyway, he had his dog trained so that when the dog felt like running alongside he would jump off and trot alongside his owner for a while and then hop back onto his shelf on the bike.
While the dog was unleased, the dog was totally familiar with being around bikes and behaved in a predictable manner. And even though I saw this on a large group ride (Midsummer Night Bike tour before it became the Night Ride) I did not feel that the dog presented any hazard to other cyclists at all.

apricissimus 

I'm going to be the voice of dissent and give the thumbs up to dogs leashed to bikes

It's probably great exercise for the dogs, and a good option for people who can't run alongside their dogs. I'm all for dogs getting out of the back yard and having a good time, and I wouldn't mind slowing down and being careful around such a group. Hey, I can spare 20 seconds.

Az B

I agree. I've tried running my dog like that, and it works great. She loves it, and it's more fun for me than running. Of course, I only do this in our sleepy little cul de sac and on the occasional dirt road, etc. It wouldn't be appropriate on busy streets or MUPs.

Az

bike2math

There was a man on the UA campus in Tucson (for all I know he's still around) who had one (or maybe two I forget) dogs he attached to a homebrew chariot type of thing, 2 wheels and 2 long pools connected to a harness/yoke type of thing. He sat low between the two wheels and they toed out significantly so the thing seemed incredibly stable. They seemed to have a ball hauling him all over campus and often were going quite fast. I'm planning on rigging up my own version, although my dog is smaller so I need a four wheeled variety I can hook him to.

apricissimus 

There's a guy in a wheelchair who haunts Boston Common who flies kites. His wheelchair is motorized, and he can really scoot on that thing. He also has a tiny dog on a leash, and it's all that poor thing can do just to keep up. He practically gets pulled along by the neck. I feel bad for the little guy.

maddyfish

A lady here does that, but I haven't seen her have any troubles.

nkuvu

I've seen something similar -- but I saw someone on rollerblades being towed by his dog in a harness.

And the spring thing mentioned earlier in the thread... I think that's a commercial dog-walking product for bike riders.

kellyjdrummer

That's just stupid.


Only in Miami.

nkuvu

Quick Google search later:
https://www.dog-training.com/springer.htm

That may not be the only source for it (another thread here on the forum referenced paying a lot less for the device) but it was the first hit from Google that matched what I was thinking of.

cudak888 

I'm only glad that I haven't run across someone using it yet, though some of the riders in the Gables area (the leisure folks, mainly - with no offense intended towards them) weave bad enough to be equally unpredictable.

P.S.: Would the second photo fall under the category of "taking the lane?"

-Kurt

kellyjdrummer

If that's not a scam, I don't know what is.

Lawsuit just looking for a victim.

Rex G

While I have never used such a gadget, y'all might want to keep a couple of things in mind: The gadget acts as a spring, to absorb any sudden actions by the pooch, and more importantly, a well-disciplined pooch will not stop suddenly or go off in its own direction. I can ride or walk our Malcolm with no leash at all, but the law requires it, and it is rigidly enforced in my town.

I do believe these springer gadgets are intended by the maker to be used with much shorter leashes, so the dog cannot turn toward the bike and cause a collision or entanglement.

During an internet search a while back, I found a scooter that is propelled by the pulling power of pooches, with brackets to which harnesses are attached. It is steered with bike-style handlebars. I found it interesting, as we have two Husky-Shepherd mixes who do like to pull.

Rex G

https://dog-training.com/springer.htm

And, a better idea, IMHO:

https://dogpoweredscooter.com/

kellyjdrummer

Looks like you can toss all your safety gear in the trash for the dog powered scooter. How cool.

kellyjdrummer

I'm done. I'm off of this thread. Sorry to whine.

Rex G

That is a valid commentary, not whining. I would wear a helmet and gloves.

desmo13

I see those all the time, and thinking about getting one. Of course, usually seen with a shorter leash.

Both my dogs are trained to mtb with me. They know to stay away from the wheels (mine and others), and will stay behind me on command.

But if I take them around town, I usually clip their leash to my camel back. That way my bodies flexibility can absorb any misdirection on their part and not transmit it to the handlebars. I have seen enough of these springers to give it a try.

grayloon

The only thing new here is the bar contraption. I've seen many a dog being walked or run by cyclists with the dog on leashes. The joker that got me, though, was the one who had dogs tied to his door handles of his car...that was when cars had door handles...as he drove down the middle of the street, ultimate laziness and disregard for animals.

ATAC49er

This is eerie -- I encountered someone like this just this evening on the way home from work! First time EVER!

She had two larger dogs -- one, something like a black Lab, the other a pit; both were less than a year old, well-behaved.

I made a clever comment while approaching slowly from the rear, to let her know I was back there, and as she pulled off the MUP, we exchanged pleasant greetings.

seeker333

Most pet owners fail to maintain adequate (hardly any) control of their dogs on leash when walking; attaching them to a bike and then riding the bike on public property or roadways is just plain stupid. Dangerous to owner, pet and any unfortunate person who happens to cross their path.

I hate those darn reel-type leashes that seem to have a range of 25 feet. On 3 occasions I've found the entire 22 foot wide road blocked by an owner and pet on extended leash. Twice the owners (2 different people) were walking in the center of the road with dogs on each opposing curb or beyond, on extendable leashes. These incidents ocurred on MUP and residential roads where traffic speed normally exceeds the 25 mph posted limit.

I love dogs too - just not under my bike!