Dog-Walking E-Bike

Nehmo

10 kW
Joined
Jun 11, 2011
Messages
519
Location
Kansas City, Kansas, USA
Of course, an obedient dog will tag along properly, but occasionally the dog/human combination isn't perfect (nor in the perfect environment) and a leash is needed. So the givens are a leash and a bike. What's the best combination of an ebike used for a dog walker?
A regular 2-wheel bike escorting a dog on a leash at speeds is almost a circus act considering the acrobatics needed to keep everything from interfering. But there are arrangements making the activity acceptable.
I would think a 3-wheeler that the rider stands in would be the best.
I'm planning here:
Take a regular front-suspension bike and drop the frame to something stand-on-able that goes to 2 rear wheels.
The frame is mostly a flat space that even the dog could stand on.
To motorize, use 2 hub motors in the rear. The human-contribution is limited to kick-off
My idea would be a motorized 3-wheel kick bike, ideally with at least 20-inch wheels.
This pic isn't of a 3-wheeler, but it's a start of what I'm thinking about.
milleniumkickbike.jpg
 
I have my dog pull me on the skateboard (not motorized yet) or he runs beside me with the ebike. My roommate's husky likes to pull and run too but she's highly unpredictable...a kickbike would be super handy for the ability to bail and easy to electrify.

Here's some links for ideas

http://www.urbanmushing.com/
http://www.dogpoweredscooter.com/
http://www.4paws-up.com/
http://inventorspot.com/articles/urban_mushing_inventor_creates_dogbehindthewheel_power_and_new_s_37005
 
r3volved said:
I have my dog pull me on the skateboard (not motorized yet) or he runs beside me with the ebike. My roommate's husky likes to pull and run too but she's highly unpredictable...a kickbike would be super handy for the ability to bail and easy to electrify.

Here's some links for ideas

http://www.urbanmushing.com/
http://www.dogpoweredscooter.com/
http://www.4paws-up.com/
http://inventorspot.com/articles/urban_mushing_inventor_creates_dogbehindthewheel_power_and_new_s_37005
I like all those ideas. I'm thinking something like the below arrangement but longer and with 3 wheels and with power.
[youtube]6QRz70AUkYs[/youtube]
It's ture: Dogs naturally like to pull in a harass.
Naturally, the attachment to the dog needs to be a harness not a collar.
 
Biking with dog - for me - is easiest when I have a retractable leash affixed to my hip.
I tied some para-cord so I can wrap around my shoulder and the leash mechanism sits at the side of my hip.
At first he likes to sprint for a km or so and then when eases into a good stride, I lock him out with enough spare leash to hang down to his chest...it keeps him in my peripheral and gives him very little room to duck off in a crazy direction.

An actual mushing/sledding harness is best if the intent is for the dog to actually pull the load. There are a few seat-belt harnesses that also work pretty well to position the load at a better pulling angle for the dog.

Here's a bunch of good mushing harnesses: https://www.alpineoutfitters.net/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=16

I'd think the easiest EV option would be a standing trike or kickscooter like you posted earlier, with a simple front hub kit, small battery, and small controller. If the dog is pulling, I'd even add regen ;)

I'd really like to set up an RC mountainboard, but it might get sketchy for me trying to juggle two dogs and a hand throttle at the same time.
 
http://kaz-usa.com/dog-scooter.html

http://dogcartusa.com/fun-with-sacco-dog-carts/

Personally, I'd rather exercise with the dogs. Having the dogs do all the work just isn't fair.
 
Other dogs not around definitely helps. With enough training, both my St Bernards run beside the bike on leash pretty good, but the runs are done when chances of encountering somebody walking a poodle are minimal. Riding is done one handed, so the dog must be on the left. One dog at a time.

Type of bike, step through frame preferred for sure, especially during that training period. Definitely got thrown to the ground a few times training my newest dog Barry. Daisy was sweet from day one, and never tossed me.
 
FGI6R2PI5A39FUE.MEDIUM.jpg

Dewey302 from Instructables designed this delta trike, Our Dog's $100 Recumbent Trike, with the idea of of making a dog walker. It's a modification of one of Bill Irwin's designs. It's human powered, but it can be e-motorized by the usual methods, perhaps by adding a hub motor or two.
I'm convinced a dog-walker must have 3 wheels. They are stable at zero speed (you have to pause occasionally with a dog), and they are less prone to upset should the dog pull unexpectedly.
 
I like this but no dog in the house to assist. Just removed the saddle on the bike or do a bike saddle-dog add-on and protection on the backwheel and you have edogbike hehe :D
 
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