Those who have pets, especially dogs, have at least once in their e-biking career thought to themselves, “How do I take my fluffy friend for a ride?” and we hear you!
We asked ourselves the same question since when planning such a thing, you have to consider many things such as safety, functionality, water & food resources for your dog, documents, etc…
So, to make this easier for you and make spending time with your dog on an e-bike more enjoyable, we decided to make a guide on how to take your dog on an electric bike!
All the necessary information that you may need regarding this topic can be found below, so if you’re interested in doing this and potentially having the best time of your life on an e-bike with your dog - we highly recommend reading through.
Let’s see what you need for an adventure like this!
Every dog has limits regardless of what we’re talking about, including taking it on a run with an e-bike.
Some dogs love spending time in cars and driving around, yet others can’t stand to sit in a car and be driven around. It’s the same with e-bikes when talking about dogs and their comfort levels.
Your dog might not be OK with being put on an electric bike from the start, but don’t hesitate - like with everything else, it can get used / trained to it.
That’s why it’s essential to understand your dog’s comfort limits as well as their physical limits in certain situations.
First thing first, you have a few options when talking about bringing your dog on an electric e-bike. The first distinction that we have to make is between big and small dogs since there is a lot of difference regarding this topic.
Before we get into anything more specific, let’s define what big and small dogs are.
What we consider big dogs are dogs that are over 50 lbs and 16 inches in height. Every dog that’s smaller than that can be considered medium or small.
Please note that dogs that are smaller than these proportions can still be quite big (such as a female English bulldog) and aren’t that easy to transport, so if you own a dog such as this, you may want to follow instructions meant for bigger dogs.
Now that we know what big and small dogs are in this context, let’s get back to the main topic!
When it comes to big dogs, there’s only one way to go about taking them on an e-bike stroll, and that’s with a lead.
Leads are something that we’ll mention later on when talking about ways of transporting your dog as one of the best accessories that you should own (and you probably do) as a dog owner.
But in this scenario, a good quality lead can mean a world of difference! First, you need to get your dog accustomed to having a leash on them while you are on your e-bike.
This may break your dog’s comfort limits since they can tend to pull on the leash from excitement when you get on your e-bike.
Practicing non-pulling strategies with your big dogs first may be a good plan since that will come in handy once you get on an e-bike.
There’s one more thing to note when bigger dogs are in question, and that’s the fact that when they get tired, you can’t carry them like small dogs, so it’s your responsibility since you’re the one sitting on an e-bike and being the owner to recognize your dog’s physical limits and respect them!
When we’re talking about smaller dogs, these kinds of strolls with electric bikes are executed much more easily.
Comfort limits with small dogs aren’t the same as with bigger dogs. You should help your smaller dog get used to being in tighter spaces without the ability to move their limbs much.
This is important since this feeling is foreign to dogs, and they need to learn how to feel comfortable in these kinds of situations.
If you see your small dog getting nervous while in a basket or your backpack, pull over and give them some rest time.
We’ll talk about means of transportation a bit later, so don’t worry about us mentioning these types of scenarios.
The only important thing to remember is to closely observe your dog and recognize when they get uncomfortable!
Practice On Short Rides First
Since we’ve mentioned the comfort limits of your dogs, we should advise you on the best thing to do when learning about your dog’s limits and practicing making them more comfortable while on an e-bike stroll!
The best thing you can do for both you and your dog is to practice e-bike rides with your dog for short distances. This may look silly to you, but going on a ride that’s half a mile long for the first time in this scenario is a wise decision to make.
Half a mile isn’t that long, and your dog can most likely behave well and feel good at the same time. On the other hand, if you do this and your dog becomes uncomfortable, keeps yanking on the leash, or growling/barking, you’re close enough to home or the place you started your ride from that you can return on foot and carry or walk your dog back.
You should repeat this multiple times before you go on a real e-bike ride with your dog. You can even go from half a mile to a mile, to a mile and a half expanding your dog’s tolerance and your experience in this situation.
It’s crucial, and we can’t stress this enough, to practice this with your dog, especially if you have a larger breed such as a Pit Bull Terrier, an American Stafford, a Doberman, a Husky, or anything of that size and strength.
Short rides that are up to a mile or mile and a half can help your dog get accustomed to the feeling of you being on an e-bike while they ride with you (regardless of the method).
We know that it may be boring or tiring, but trust us - it will pay off in the end. We also recommend you gradually increase the speed you move your e-bike since that’s another thing that your dog needs to get familiar with.
Some dogs will tend not to like high speeds, so if your dog is one of them, you need to be mindful of that. This applies to both big and small dogs, but it’s much more important for bigger dogs since they’ll be the ones running beside you.
It’s an amazing plan to pair this up with your practice on short rides, so try slightly increasing your speed and see how your dog feels about it!
Ways Of Transportation
Now it’s time to talk about the means of transporting your dog (big and small) while you’re on your e-bike ride.
First, let’s talk about the ways of transporting your big dogs, and then we’ll focus on means of transportation for smaller dogs.
Big dogs, although they may seem like a harder task when it comes to transport, give you much fewer problems than small dogs.
The only real way to bring your big dog to an e-bike ride is to attach a leash on them and teach them to run beside you. This is what 99% of people do in these kinds of situations, and that’s what you should do as well!
There are two real options here to choose from, and that’s a regular leash or a harness that you’ll use on your dog.
Harnesses are better since you won’t risk injuring your dog’s neck while on a steep hill or on a narrow path, which is quite a plus.
But, there is one downside to using a harness, and that’s the fact that your dog can pull on it with all its strength, so if you didn’t teach them to follow you and your e-bike, you may have a bigger problem.
Regular leashes are amazing since your dog can’t pull as hard on them as they can while they’re on a harness.
But, as we’ve said, you risk yanking your dog unintentionally if they’re on a regular leash which can result in some discomfort or some less serious injuries.
That’s why we recommend getting a harness, which will make you carefree and keep your dog safe. The only thing to keep in mind is that you should train your dog not to pull on the leash in these kinds of situations so you don’t end up on your butt due to them pulling you off the e-bike.
But, there is one downside to using a harness, and that’s the fact that your dog can pull on it with all its strength, so if you didn’t teach them to follow you and your e-bike, you may have a bigger problem.
Regular leashes are amazing since your dog can’t pull as hard on them as they can while they’re on a harness.
But, as we’ve said, you risk yanking your dog unintentionally if they’re on a regular leash which can result in some discomfort or some less serious injuries.
That’s why we recommend getting a harness, which will make you carefree and keep your dog safe. The only thing to keep in mind is that you should train your dog not to pull on the leash in these kinds of situations so you don’t end up on your butt due to them pulling you off the e-bike.
Now for the smaller dogs. Transporting these types of dogs is easier - smaller dogs give you way more options to choose from.
The first, and most obvious option is to get a basket for your e-bike that attaches to the front or the back of your e-bike.
Security straps are a must if you decide to go with this route, so keep an eye out for specialized baskets that have built-in straps for security or have dedicated openings so you can attach special security straps that will keep your dog in place and from falling or jumping out mid-ride.
If you do this correctly, you offer your dog the enjoyment of fresh air and sightseeing while keeping them safe, and that’s why most people go for this option.
The second option is to buy a specialized backpack for carrying dogs. You can put your dog there, secure them, and let their head roam free from your back!
Dogs usually love this one, and some dog breeds that are considered small but aren’t as small prefer this instead of a cramped basket.
When choosing this method, the only thing to be wary of is that you have a few pounds that you have to carry on your back, so it may be tiring to you if your dog is a bit bigger.
The third and last option with small dogs is to keep them in a chest carrier for dogs. These carriers are designed to keep your dog safe on your chest while you retain the functionality of your hands, which is quite awesome!
Some dogs love this, and some - not so much. They are free to move their paws and legs as they like, but they are in a position that is not natural to them. So, if you decide to go with this option, you’ll probably have to help your dog get used to it.
This is another fantastic practice that you can pair with practicing short rides with your dog, so they get comfortable with the chest carrier as well as the fact that they’re on an e-bike that’s moving with some potentially serious speed.
One downside to this is that if your dog has a bigger head or likes to move its head and (potentially) flappy ears around, you may be blinded by that which can cause some problems while riding.
As you can see, all of these means of transportation are amazing, but they all have downsides to them.
The only thing left to do on your side is to choose which one you think your dog will find the most enjoyable, teach them, and have lots of fun!
Pick Your Route
Picking a route for, at least, your beginning rides with your dog or dogs can be of crucial matter. If you go into the unknown without any or with little experience, you may find yourself panicking if something doesn’t go according to your plans.
If you’re planning on bringing your dog on an offroad ride with your e-bike, planning your route is even more important!
When we talk about bigger dogs, they can easily climb steep roads and navigate through dense forests, but it’s important for you to know where you’re going since your dog can’t know.
They are just following you beside your e-bike and going wherever you go. So planning a route seems responsible for more than one reason.
One more important thing that can occur as a problem if you’re not doing this is that if you get lost, and start panicking, your dog will notice that as well.
So in that scenario, you are panicking, your dog is panicking, you don’t know where you are, and you have an e-bike that you can’t use since you don’t know the direction that you need to take.
In order to avoid this, we highly recommend picking your route first and even going through that route without your furry friend to make sure that the road is wide enough and that there aren’t any imminent dangers on that road for both you and your dog.
If we’re talking about smaller dogs, this isn’t as big of a problem as it is with bigger dogs. Smaller dogs can stay seated in a basket or your backpack with their head sticking out as you navigate, so don’t fear these kinds of situations if you own a smaller dog!
Also, picking a route can help you relax and focus on the ride instead of following the road signs or directions, making that e-bike ride more enjoyable for you and your friend.
Bring Food & Water
Food and water are essential for both you and your pet. It’s a smart idea to bring extra food and water for your dog, and a “retractable bowl” that is easy to carry so your dog can drink water wherever.
People often overlook the fact that their dogs need to be hydrated when going on an e-bike ride since they will either be running or have air blown into their faces. Both of these scenarios will leave your dog with a dry mouth, and it’s your responsibility to keep them hydrated!
It’s also important to note that when we talk about food, you don’t give your dog too much since they can get sick and vomit the food they just ate if you continue riding the bike right after they ate.
This is especially important with bigger dogs since they’ll be running beside you and can get sick if the tempo is too intense for them.
So, don’t bring food if you’re going on a shorter ride, but bring water always. If you decide to go on an e-bike ride that will take multiple hours, it might be a good idea to pack food, but keep in mind that your dog needs some time to digest the food and enjoy the ride after eating!
Conclusion
Now that you know it’s possible to take your dog on an e-bike ride and how to take your dog on an electric bike (big or small), it’s time to recap!
There are a few things you need to be aware of at all times, so let’s take a look at the most important aspects of your future adventures with your furry friend:
These are all important notes, so make sure you understand them and remember them since they are the backbone of your e-biking adventures with your best friend!
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