Take Your Dog Cycling with The Best Bicycle Dog Leash
Staying active and regularly exercising is the key to a healthy life. However, the issue with exercises like cycling, in particular, is that they can be incredibly boring when done alone.
That's why you need to bring your dog with you on every cycling session. All you need is the finest bicycle dog leash of 2022, and you're ready to work out with your four-legged best friend.
You get to work out, your dog gets to walk, and you both get to spend some quality time with each other, further strengthening your bond. This whole situation is a win-win for everyone involved. But these plans can only succeed if you choose the right bicycle leash for your dog.
We checked out a whole heap of available options and condensed our findings into this list of five. These are the bicycle dog leashes to buy.
A Thorough Buyer's Guide for Bicycle Dog Leashes
People always wanted to take their beloved pets on a bike ride. Before the widespread adoption of bicycle leashes, you would tie the regular walking leash to the bike. It worked to some extent, but it was also hazardous for the dog and the person riding the bicycle. Luckily, modern bicycle dog leashes are here to help.
However, not all bicycle dog leashes are created equal. Some are a better fit for certain people than others. You can buy any leash from our top five, which should work just fine. However, you need to buy the one that fits your situation, to get the best experience.
These are the questions that you need to consider before making a purchase.
What is your dog’s weight?
Your dog's weight is one of the essential factors in choosing the right bike leash. Most bike leashes are rated for a specific weight class, and any dog above or below these parameters isn't recommended.
For example, let's say a leash is ideal for dogs between 150 and 250 pounds. If you strap it to a 100-pound puppy, then the suspension spring might feel too tight, and it will not provide any meaningful shock absorption. On the other hand, if the dog is 300 pounds, the leash's shock absorption will not work at best, and the leash could completely break at worst.
So, make sure you're buying a leash rated for the correct weight class.
What speed will you be riding at?
If you'd be riding fast, then a leash with a long, flexible section and intense shock absorption is your best option. It will give plenty of space for your dog to run while also protecting them from sudden acceleration or deceleration.
On the other side of the coin, if you'll be riding slowly, a leash with limited movement will work the best. It'll keep your dog close at all times and discourage them from running too fast all of a sudden.
Why are you bringing your dog along?
The reason behind bringing your dog with you can also affect your leash choice. Unfortunately, there could be so many possibilities that we cannot recommend each one of them. You'd have to think about this logically and develop a solution independently.
An excellent example of this logical thinking would be, let's say you want to train your dog to follow your bike closely, even without a leash. A bicycle leash with limited dog mobility is the ideal option in this scenario.
Top Bicycle Dog Leashes – A Brief Review
Neewa Tug-Line with Bungee
– Best Overall
First on our list is a bicycle leash by Neewa, and this is the most basic form of what a quality bicycle leash should be. The polypropylene material is strong enough to hold together even after months of constant use, and the metal hooks on either end allow for quick and easy deployment.
However, the star of the show has to be the built-in bungee. You and your dog are not going to travel at the same speed all the time. Sometimes you’d have to get faster or slow down suddenly. A static leash can cause whiplash to your dog when something like this happens. The bungee completely absorbs the sudden variations in relative speeds and ensures that the whole ride is smooth for both of you.
- Plenty long for most dogs
- Durable, long-lasting construction
- Works with almost every collar or harness
- Flexible leash can cause issues with dogs
1-Running-Dog Bike Tow Leash
– Runner Up
Next up, we have a dog bicycle leash with a semi-rigid design. The majority of this leash is a soft solid with a curved design. The tip of this rigid rod-like structure is a leash hook attached to some flexible cable that retracts back into the rigid part. Both of these design elements combine to make a bicycle leash that keeps your dog in the same relative position while also giving it enough movement freedom to walk around obstacles.
This design would be perfect if not because it is not very good for a significant chunk of people and dogs. It is only suitable for people who ride at certain low speeds and dogs who can keep pace with these low speeds.
- Robust structure that’ll last a long time
- Ideal for people who ride slowly
- Very restricted movement for the dog
Walky Dog Bicycle Exerciser Leash
– Honorable Mention
Suppose you’re looking for something similar to the 1-Running-Dog tow leash but better in almost every way then this one for you. The Walky Dog bicycle leash has the same fundamental design with a rigid rod and a flexible, retractable cord at the end. However, this one comprises a metal, and the other is more substantial materials, giving this leash an average pulling force of over 550 pounds.
The metallic rod is mounted securely to the bike’s seat, while the dog is attached with a flexible yet strong cord. This option might look more rigid and restricting than the previous option, but it is quite the opposite, thanks to the Walky Dog’s patented internal shock-absorbing system.
- Quick and easy installation on any bike.
- Stainless steel construction.
- Used adjustable leash length
- Requires a specific tool for installation /removal
NEWURBAN Dog Bike Exerciser Leash
– Also Consider
Now we’re entering the realm of bicycle leash designs that are polished to perfection. The Newurban bicycle leash takes the rod and rope design and removes all significant issues. For example, the rod in design is robust but not the star of the show.
There are no complex mechanisms inside it that can break over time. It is just a metal rod with a bike mount and hook on one end. This hook is then attached to a fixed strap, connecting to a flexible bungee. You can even skip the bungee if you want to.
- High mobility for the dog.
- Allows faster movement than other designs
- It does not support giant dogs
Videosystem Dog Hands Free Leashes
– Also Consider
The final entry on our list is also suitable for most people. It has an ingenious design similar to the Newurban bike leash while also retaining the quality and robustness of the Walky dog leash. If we had to recommend just one bicycle dog leash, this would be the one, and we’re not alone in this sentiment. The over 250 five-star reviews and “Amazon’s Choice” tag speak for themselves.
Even if you ignore every other bike leash on the market and look at this one objectively, it is still a great option. It even resolves the mounting and dismounting issue by having the rod screw into the seat mount, which you can unscrew easily without needing any tools.
- Possibly the best bicycle leash design
- Quality construction with sturdy materials
- Attention to minor details
- Only one size and color option.
Bicycle Dog Leash FAQ
A: Yes, only if you're using a super low-tech leash, just a static rope/cable with a mounting hook. Other than that, most advanced bicycles leashes are very unlikely to tangle, even if they're attached to the most active dog in the world.
A: No, under normal circumstances, it is not. In fact, it is the opposite, as many dogs love to run around and chase moving vehicles like a bicycle. However, it can become cruel if the owner starts disregarding their dog's exhaustion. Remember that you do not want to be dragging your dog around. If it gets tired, the best practice is to let it rest for a few minutes before continuing slowly. Carrying the dog with you on a bike can also be dangerous, so avoid that as well.
A: The trick to taking your dog on bike rides is to start slowly. You might even have to walk with your bike in your first couple of sessions. Then you can steadily pick up the pace and build your dog's confidence along the way.
