<\/p>\n Now if you\u2019re on social media you\u2019ve probably already seen the likes of Demi Vollering and Alexey Vermeulen taking their dogs for rides in their backpacks, and maybe you\u2019ve even seen the feline Sigrid being chauffeured around London in her basket.<\/p>\n You may like<\/p>\n But have you ever thought about taking your own dog on a ride with you? While it might sound like a lot of hassle, there are several ways you can get your dog involved in your cycling, whether it\u2019s to kill two birds with one stone and exercise both you and your pet, or as a method of transport to avoid using the car \u2013 there are plenty of options.<\/p>\n And luckily for you, we\u2019ve got some resident \u2018experts\u2019 here at Cyclingnews that have experience in almost all ways of getting your hound to enjoy cycling.<\/p>\n Bikejoring<\/p>\n \n Bigger, leaner, more energetic breeds such as pointers are a good match for bikejoring (Image credit: Josh Croxton)<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve not heard of bikejoring<\/a>, you\u2019re in for a treat. Bikejoring is a dog sport originally from Norway, but it has grown massively in popularity in recent years and now, there are even competitions in the UK.<\/p>\n The premise is simple. You get your dog, attach them to your off-road bike via a lead and let them run in front, pulling you along. You\u2019ll need a bit of specific kit to do this one \u2013 particularly if you plan on doing any competitions. Firstly, you\u2019ll need a pulling harness, which is one that doesn\u2019t obstruct your dog\u2019s movement or breathing when they pull. Then, a bungee lead, and ideally an antenna which mounts to your bars or head tube and extends the lead over the front wheel so if the dog is running with the lead slack, it doesn\u2019t go into the wheel and cause issues.<\/p>\n Bikejoring is an excellent way to get your dog\u2019s brain working as well as their body, as they\u2019ll need to learn certain commands and directions to keep you both upright as well as trundling along safely.<\/p>\n The added bonus is that it tires your dog out, too. So you can both enjoy a well deserved nap after your ride. Bikejoring is ideally done on fire roads and less technical tracks, unlike if your dog is a proper little MTB trail dog where they can run in front or behind you as you ride and take their own lines down a track.<\/p>\n A cargo bike<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Raleigh)<\/p>\n The most expensive idea on the list, unless you\u2019ve already invested in one, is a cargo bike. Specifically, a front-loader with a bucket out the front. I\u2019m sure you could probably find a way to seat a dog or two on a rear loading cargo bike, but for peace of mind, it\u2019s probably best to have them within your sight.<\/p>\n You may like<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t a new idea, either. Babboe made a dog-specific e-cargo bike before they suffered setbacks with their build quality.<\/p>\n A backpack<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Mildred Locke)<\/p>\n This might sound ridiculous to some – a dog, in a backpack? I can practically hear my disapproving dad sighing at the thought. But, as someone who has used a few dog-specific ones and just enticed the puppies into regular backpacks, I have to say they are an excellent invention.<\/p>\n And, if you start training them early enough, one of the quickest to use. If you\u2019re looking at acquiring a dog backpack, you\u2019ll need to make sure that it\u2019s rated for the weight of your dog, and of course, that they will fit and be comfortable during their time in the bag.<\/p>\n I generally don\u2019t do long stretches on the bike with my cocker spaniel pup in the bag. We tend to stop every half an hour and let him run around a bit and have a wee before I restrict his freedom again.<\/p>\n The bags themselves come in a few formats, but my favourite designs come with a built-in harness and\/or arm holes (well, leg holes I suppose) for the pooch. Your dog will be basically sitting upright in this bag, so it\u2019s good for them to have somewhere to put their front legs to take some of the pressure off their backsides.<\/p>\n Getting your dog into one might seem impossible but you\u2019d be surprised how quickly they associate the bag with exciting adventures \u2013 if, of course, your dog actually enjoys having the wind in its ears and tucking into your neck during faster sections.<\/p>\n A trailer<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Josh Ross)<\/p>\n Second in expense to buying an entire bike dedicated to canine pursuits is buying a trailer. Now there are a few brands that make dog-specific trailers, namely Burley and Thule, but you don\u2019t necessarily have to have something with the word \u2018dog\u2019 in the title, lest you want to pay the \u2018dog tax\u2019.<\/p>\n Some dogs will want to be fully enclosed, while others will prefer to keep their heads out in the wind, and more importantly, keeping an eye on your pedalling technique. Dogs can be great motivation, encouraging you to go faster with their barking and\/or threatening to jump out into traffic. So, like everything else on this list, we\u2019d recommend getting them used to the trailer before embarking on a ride.<\/p>\n One of my dogs loves the bike trailer because he can sit with his head poking out, ears flapping in the wind. But one of my other dogs absolutely hates it and will try and claw her way out of it. My point is, not every dog will enjoy it, even if they like other forms of bike-aided transport.<\/p>\n You can spend hundreds of pounds on these, so we\u2019d recommend trying one out first, and if that\u2019s not possible, look for secondhand options just in case you find it\u2019s impractical for your bike, your house, or for your dog.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also worth considering what bike you\u2019ll be using with the trailer, as thru-axles and quick-release skewers will require different fitments to attach the trailer hitch to the bike. Additionally, a trailer will make a massive impact to your bike\u2019s overall handling and turning circle, so bear that in mind as well.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/NGyzAS7LSYrUKPeykMJqKc.jpg\")
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