SorrySayAgain

I don't have a car and never have owned one. I used to live within easy walking distance of my vet (literally around the corner) but I've since moved and my only transportation is my bike (the local taxis and buses don't allow animals due to allergy risks).
Getting a lift from family/friends isn't an option due to the species of my pets (rats) and the phobias many people have for them.

My issue is that I can't find any pet carrier designed to fit on a bike. I'm not very good with making things myself, but I'm willing to give it a shot if it doesn't require special tools.

It has to be metal, as one of my girls has chewed her way out of two plastic cat carriers.
It has to be fully enclosed, as my pets are a jumping risk.
In terms of size it should be able to hold an average cat snugly.
Ideally, I'd like to find/make something that can attach to the front or back of the bike and be easily detachable in order to carry them in.

Does anyone have any suggestions or advice? Please and thank you ^-^

willydstyle

If your bike has racks it's a lot easier to make things work.

Ekdog

Our French bulldog either walks with us or rides in a crate attached to the rear rack of our tandem or in the basket of a community bike-share bike.

Edited to add: I read your post quickly and didn't notice that you were asking about rats. Hmmm... Couldn't you just put them into a secure box and get into a taxi? The cabbie wouldn't have to be any the wiser.

I-Like-To-Bike

Perhaps something like a rural metal mail box, make yourself or buy ready made on line; modify the latch mechanism for better security as well as drill a few holes for ventilation. Attach to a bicycle rack with bungees or place in a suitably sized bike basket.
Example on line source:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CSI69C/
I'm sure Australia has something similar available.

mconlonx

Typical steel 'crate'/cage on a cargo trailer?

prathmann

I've seen people carry their cats around with one or two regular cat carriers strapped to the top of a rear rack with bungee cords or straps. I'd think that a metal cage for your rats would fit fine on top of a typical rear bike rack.

Walter S

Save them the stress of bouncing up and down unpredictably in a box. Uber?

Machka 

When I was car free and had three cats, I was able to use the bus once, a taxi a few times ... but most of the time I used a pet taxi.

I was in Winnipeg at the time (I have since moved to Australia - Victoria first, Tasmania now), but here are a couple Melbourne ones: Home - Pet Cabs and Melbourne Pet Taxi - Melbourne Pet Minders

Walter S

Interesting. I found this service that will come pick up your pet, take them to the vet, and return your pet home plus other services. Pet Taxi

Ty0604

I've never used my bike to transport my cat. He weighs more than my bike does

I use the train/bus though! They're allowed if they're in a carrier. He screams bloody murder but he survives.

Simba at a few weeks old and at his 2nd birthday in September.

DaveQ24

God help me if I ever had to take my dog the 8 miles to his vet by bike. I weighed in at about 175 this morning, he was 138 at his last checkup in October.

I would need a really big bike rack for that, huh?

Sangetsu

Funny that your buses and taxis won't allow pets, that is unheard of here in Japan. If it is not an emergency, I can take the subway, otherwise a taxi will work.

Walter S

I agree. Where is it that buses don't allow pets?

The policy on our buses...
Service animals that assist individuals with disabilities are the only animals permitted to ride unconfined on MARTA trains and buses. However, a pet may be transported on MARTA trains and buses, provided it is carried aboard in a secure rigid pet carrier with a lock or latch from which it cannot escape.

Machka 

She is in Melbourne.

At a quick glance it would appear that pets may be allowed but only at certain times and under certain circumstances.

wipekitty

Yep, I have one of these as well - Bob looks a lot like Simba, and weighs in around 18 pounds.

I have one of these as well (or at least, we're working on it): my little Newfie puppy is up around 115, and has another 7-12 months of growing to do! Our vet is only 5.5 miles away, but he's already too much of a slug to walk that far.

In actual practice, what I end up doing for regular checkups is scheduling Family Vet Day and renting a car. I make two appointments - one for the three cats, and one for the dog (which is preferable anyway, since one of my clinic's vets is a cat expert, and another has worked with Newfs for a long time.)

Our local transit doesn't allow animals other than service animals. It's a moot point anyway, since there's not actually a stop near the vet's office. There are some local start-ups that will help with animal transportation, but it's cheaper for me to just rent a car and do it myself.

Ty0604

Yeah! Simba is 18.6lbs at his last weigh in a few months ago

Siu Blue Wind

House calls.

A lot of vets will do house calls.

Roody

This group sure comes up with some good plans! I think the mail box was the cleverest idea so far.

jack pot 

i'm 100% anti BUT if you ask a "vet" they're going to "suggest" a Rx **********??? >>> calms the beast inside the kitty >>>> i'd just pass and go homeopathic but what do i know >> 100 lb Rot owner

cooker

Brilliant!

SorrySayAgain

To clarify a few questions, I'm located in rural Victoria.

Why not take them on the bus in a carrier?
While the VicRoads bus system says that pets are allowed if confined, in practise, the drivers here say "no animals on the bus" and you can't argue with them. The one time I tried to push the issue by going higher, they said that they were concerned about potential allergies and I was told not to bring them on the bus again.

Why not use a taxi/uber?
Money is incredibly tight for me, so that's the main reason. (I've honestly never used an Uber so I'll have to check it out)
But the same rules apply, the taxi driver has to be okay with driving animals. And my pets have the bad habit of screaming in carriers because they want out. Not loud, and they're not hurt (just spoiled rotten), but it means I can't pass them off as a cat or other animal.

I do have a front basket and a rear rack, and the letterbox idea was brilliant! I'm definitely going to try that one out!

I'm really grateful to everyone who's responded, thank you all so much for helping me out ♡

jon c. 

I have no experience with rodentia, but with cats if you cover the carrier with a blanket they remain quiet.

SorrySayAgain

Doesn't work with rodents unfortunately. They feel very safe when it's dark, and that translates in behaviour to 'being cheeky'.
And a bright, open carrier means that people can see them too, which is the entire issue.

Not to mention that my rats are very well socialised, so when they hear people, they want to meet them.
In terms of behaviour, they're very similar to dogs.

I appreciate the suggestion

Machka 

Just entirely out of curiosity ... where in rural Victoria? Approximately ... you don't have to provide details if you don't want to.

I ask because I used to live in rural Victoria too ... a little ways north of Melbourne.

SorrySayAgain

I'm in the other direction, 3hrs the other side of Geelong ^-^