Well cant stop thinking about this poor dog,the man had a small flat trailer attached to his bike with a soft dog crate on top and a labrador  looking very scared indeed ,very busy road indeed, surley this is not legal,poor dog and stupid owner to put his dog at high risk like this.

Sheila

I've seen people with babies in similar contraptions, In heavy traffic too.

I've seen them befor with dogs and kids, they call them bike trailers.
These are the ones I've seen http://kidstrailer.com/ not my cup of tea but don't think it's a good idea to use one on a road would be too easy for it to be hit by a car in my opyion, there low to the ground so a big car or van could probably drive right over it in an accident. I can see a use for them say in parks.

The commercial ones aren't cheap either.

They are designed to be used on the road as after all cyclists are not supposed to ride on the pavement, but sadly the UK is not as bike aware/friendly as some other countries where bike trailers are pretty much the norm, and in Holland the cyclist really is king.

I see people with proper bikes (mud guards, bells etc) also trikes with varying types of trailers with shopping dogs kids etc.

Here cyclists really are taking their lives in their hands every time they ride on the road.

If you don't/can't drive what is the alternative, fi some distance is to be covered.

The man may have needed to take the dog to the vet and it wasn't fit to walk that far.

These are very common in my area and are hired out by the local cycling centre, used on the forest tracks but also loads seen on the roads in the summer here, dogs and kids in the back.

I sometimes pull my dogs in a trailer (I recommend the DoggyRide - I think it's made in the Netherlands).   She is very securely tied down (with her head out the top).   I used to cycle to the park, tie up the trailer & cycle with her free round the park.  This provided enough exercise for both of us.    I am an experienced cyclist & have cycled in London for years.  I have to say I have never had a problem or even a near miss.   Mind you - I'm pretty sure people think I have a very ugly ginger baby with huge ears!!

> If you don't/can't drive what is the alternative, fi some distance is to be covered

But that should be considered before getting a dog (pet). An ex-neighbour gave up breeding when her husband was no longer able to drive and she could not get to a vet quickly in an emergency - otherwise her son would take her in the evenings or she would get a taxi/neighbour.

These trailers look so very vulnerable :)

The trailers are no more vulnerable than a person on a bike.  In fact I found that when I was towing a trailer people gave me a wider berth.  If the vet isn't far away I don't think this disqualifies the person from owning a dog.

TBH where I lived in London I could have got much closer to the vet (and hence less walking for the dog) than I could in my car.   It's harder for a dog to get out of & into a car than a trailer as well.

If you have an elderly dog that is used to a trailer then it's a good way for them to travel & have a better quality of life (either pushing the trailer, towing it, or just having it handy for if the dog gets tired)

I've seen them being used on bike tracks in woodlands etc, usually because the dog is getting older and can't manage the entire route anymore or a dog who is unable to manage walking very much at all and doesn't want to be left behind. It's quite a concern when you have older dogs who can't go to far on a ride and you want to go further. I guess living in London and traffic and parking problems make it more difficult to, say, get to the vets or a place where an older dog could have an amble about offlead, but I would worry about getting the trailer getting knocked by a passing car, it wouldn't take much. I would emblazon the trailer with bright stripes and these lightweight flag poles just to make it more visable.

yes I do understand that in a emergency and no other transport,but the guy was young and going very fast on a very busy main road at rushhour,he has a choice but the dog doesnt,

Sheila

yes I do understand that in a emergency and no other transport,but the guy was young and going very fast on a very busy main road at rushhour,he has a choice but the dog doesnt,

Sheila

If you don't/can't drive what is the alternative, fi some distance is to be covered.

Surely most towns these days have pet taxis for that very purpose -we have at least two different companies here and it's a tiny little town. Our vet also has ambulances for collection if needs be, as did my previous vet. Or you can take the bus when its not an emergency.

yes,maybe he had no choice,barbara,I dont drive either,so walk,bus or bike everywhere,and I used to want a bike trailer to get my dogs to nice places to run free,but then i realised if I got one,Id have to leave it locked up,while i walked them,and imagined coming back to a stolen bike.Also,I think it might be pretty scary on some roads.Nice idea,though!