The Ultimate Guide for You and Your Dog

Want a new way to burn off your dog's energy that doesn't involve you jogging behind them? Bikejoring might be it. This dog sport pairs cycling with your dog's natural drive to run and pull, and it's been picking up speed across the US for over a decade.

Whether you're wondering what bikejoring actually is, how to train for it, or whether it's safe for your dog, this guide covers the full picture: gear, training, safety, and how to find the right trails near you.

Jump Ahead: Bikejoring

Key Takeaways

• Bikejoring is a dog-powered sport where your dog (or dogs) pull you on a bike using a secure harness and bungee line. It's related to skijoring and dog sledding, just built for dry ground.
• It suits fit, medium to large dogs who genuinely love running and pulling. Puppies, seniors with mobility issues, and small breeds generally aren't good candidates.
• The right equipment isn't optional. A dedicated pulling harness, a bungee line, and a proper bike attachment protect both of you from injury.
• Training builds in stages: commands on foot first, then on a leash, then finally with the bike, always at a pace your dog is ready for.
• Heat, pavement, and unpredictable trail encounters are the biggest safety risks. Most of them are avoidable with the right precautions.

What Is Bikejoring?

Bikejoring is, in the words of Active Dog Sports, "similar to traditional mushing on a sled except it's with a bike." One dog, or a small team of dogs, is connected to a bicycle through a secure attachment, and they pull the bike (and you) forward while you pedal along and steer.

The name comes from "skikjøring," a Norwegian term meaning "ski driving." Bikejoring is essentially the dry-land, bike-based version of that same idea, and it's thought to have developed after skijoring, which itself grew out of traditional dog sledding.

No one has pinned down exactly when or where bikejoring started, but it's been well established in Europe for years and has been steadily gaining popularity in the US since around 2010. Race events keep popping up, and interest in related pulling sports like canicross has grown right alongside it. Plenty of trainers now offer dog sports classes purely for the mental stimulation and bonding benefits, not just for owners chasing a competitive circuit.

Photo by Harold Meerveld

Is Bikejoring Right for You and Your Dog?

Bikejoring is a genuinely high-adrenaline sport, and it's not the right fit for every dog or every owner. Here's how to think through whether it's worth trying.

Which Dogs Tend to Enjoy It

Northern breeds with a strong pulling instinct, like Siberian Huskies, are a natural fit. But plenty of other breeds take to it just as well, including Border Collies, Labrador Retrievers, and German Shepherds. Athletic, high-energy dogs and dogs who are bored or a little destructive without enough outlet often thrive once they discover bikejoring, too.

A few groups should sit this one out:

• Puppies. Their bones and joints are still developing, and high-impact pulling work can cause lasting damage.
• Small breeds. They simply don't have the size or structure to pull a bike safely.
• Senior dogs with mobility issues. Bikejoring is demanding on joints, and it's not worth the risk for a dog already dealing with stiffness or arthritis.

Beyond that, most healthy, medium to large dogs between roughly 9 months and 10 years old, weighing 35 pounds or more, can be good candidates, provided they actually enjoy running and pulling. If you're not sure whether your dog fits the bill, test it out with light pulling games in a safe, enclosed space before investing in a full setup.

What It Takes From You

Bikejoring asks more of you than a casual bike ride. You'll need solid bike handling skills, since your dog can accelerate and change direction faster than you might expect. Comfort riding off pavement helps too, since softer trail surfaces are usually better for your dog's joints than concrete or asphalt.

A vet checkup before you start is worth the trip for both of you. It confirms your dog doesn't have any underlying issues that bikejoring would make worse, and it's a good moment to ask your vet directly about your plans.

Is Bikejoring Safe?

Bikejoring is inherently a higher-risk activity than a lot of other dog sports, simply because it combines a moving bike, a pulling dog, and unpredictable terrain. That doesn't mean it's reckless. It means the precautions matter.

Weather and surface are two of the biggest factors. Bikejoring is intense exercise, so it should never happen in hot weather, and your dog needs constant access to fresh water. Pavement is hard on a dog's joints over time and should be avoided in favor of dirt or gravel trails. Check your dog's paw pads regularly for cuts, cracking, or a "blown pad," where the skin tears away from abrasive ground.

Trail conditions outside your control matter too. Even a well-trained dog can be startled by an off-leash dog, a squirrel, or a small child darting into the path, so staying alert to your surroundings is part of the job.

A Quick Note on Bikejoring Ethics

You may have heard concerns about mushing sports in general, often tied to allegations of cruelty in long-distance races like the Iditarod. Those concerns are mostly rooted in extreme conditions and distances (the Iditarod covers roughly 1,000 miles), not in mushing sports as a category.

Bikejoring, done between you and your dog on a normal trail, is a completely different scale of activity, and the humane part is entirely in your hands. If your dog genuinely enjoys running and pulling, and you check in with them regularly and stop the moment they seem uncomfortable or unenthusiastic, there's nothing inherently unethical about it. If your dog isn't into it, that's your answer, and it's worth respecting.

Bikejoring Gear Checklist

Good gear is what separates a fun bikejoring session from a dangerous one. Here's what a beginner setup actually needs.

Your Bike and Riding Gear

• A mountain bike (or similar). Most mountain bikes work fine for beginner bikejoring. You don't need a specialized bike, but a tune-up at your local shop before you start is a smart move.
• A properly fitted helmet. Non-negotiable. Adjust the straps so it actually stays put if you fall.
• Goggles. Dirt and gravel kick up fast at speed, and eye protection is worth the small extra step.
• Bike mirrors. Useful for keeping an eye on your dog and your surroundings without turning your whole body.
• Side bags. For water, a first aid kit, and anything else you want on hand.

Your Dog's Gear

• A pulling harness, ideally X-style. Most dog sports harnesses work across activities, so you don't necessarily need one marketed specifically for bikejoring. Many bikejoring owners favor an X-style harness because it distributes pressure across the chest and shoulders without restricting the dog's shoulder movement. Freedom of movement matters here more than in almost any other piece of gear.
• A bikejoring-specific bungee line. A standard rope or leash is unsafe for this, since it won't absorb the shock of a sudden pull. Bikejoring-specific lines offer better weight distribution and control than general multi-sport lines, and the bungee give protects both you and your dog from jolts that could cause a fall.
• A gangline and bike attachment. The gangline connects your dog to the bike, and a proper attachment (sometimes called an antenna or arm) keeps the towline safely away from your wheel and brake lines. This connection point matters for control, so it's not a place to improvise.
• Protective booties (optional). A good idea for rough or rocky trails. If your dog isn't used to wearing them, budget some time to get them comfortable before your first real ride.

This setup covers a beginner running one dog. Running multiple dogs or advancing to longer, more technical routes usually means additional gear, so it's worth researching further once you're past the basics.

🐾 Test out a new harness or run through commands somewhere quiet before your first real ride. Book a private Sniffspot →

By Harold Meerveld - Dagscooter

How to Train Your Dog for Bikejoring

You can train your dog yourself or bring in a professional. Either way, choosing a qualified trainer matters if you go that route, and a force-free trainer is the right kind of help for teaching pulling sports the right way.

Start With Commands, Not the Bike

Before your dog ever sees a bike, they need a reliable vocabulary. Solid leash walking fundamentals make everything below easier to teach, so that's the right place to start if you're not there yet. Focus on directional cues like left, right, and "keep on" (straight ahead), along with pace commands like "slow," "whoa" for stop, and "let's go" to start. Many bikejorers borrow traditional mushing terms, using "gee" for right and "haw" for left, but the specific words matter less than consistency.

A strong "leave it" rounds things out, helping your dog ignore distractions and stay safe around hazards on the trail. Recall training is a useful foundation to build all of this on top of.

Keep early sessions short, upbeat, and reward-heavy. Gradually stretch the distance and duration of your practice runs as your dog's understanding and fitness improve. This is new for both of you, so patience does more than pushing pace ever will.

🐾 Nail down recall and directional cues somewhere low-stress before you add a bike into the mix. Find a private Sniffspot near you →

Build Up Gradually

Start with walks and hikes using the harness so your dog gets used to the feel of it and the general idea of pulling. Move on to running alongside your dog on foot, still with the harness and commands in play. Once your dog is comfortable pulling you while you run, it's finally time to bring in the bike.

Begin with short rides on familiar, low-traffic trails. Single-track trails tend to work well early on since they cut down on distractions and hazards, letting your dog focus on the job. As confidence builds on both ends of the leash, gradually stretch out the distance and intensity, always watching your dog's energy and enthusiasm as your guide.

Finding Bikejoring Trails and Communities

Smooth, wide, relatively flat trails with good visibility and few obstacles are ideal for beginners. Many cities have dedicated bike trails that work well, and sites like TrailLink and AllTrails can help you scout options and read reviews before you commit to a route. Always check posted signage, since some trails restrict dogs or specific activities like bikejoring outright.

If public trail options near you are limited or heavily restricted, a private Sniffspot can be a solid workaround, giving you a controlled space to train and ride without navigating other trail users or off-leash rules. And if your dog turns out to be more into water than wheels, dog surfing is a fun warm-weather alternative worth trying.

Local and online bikejoring communities are worth seeking out too. Dog sports clubs often run classes and group events, and the American Kennel Club publishes solid beginner resources. Online forums and social groups are useful for troubleshooting gear questions and finding local races, and most experienced bikejorers are happy to help a newcomer get started.

Safety Tips for Bikejoring

• Avoid pavement. It's hard on your dog's joints and can get dangerously hot in warm weather.
• Stick to trails with relatively few other people and animals, especially while you're both still learning.
• Carry a first aid kit stocked for both of you, including supplies for your dog.
• Bring plenty of water, and snacks if you'll be out for a while.
• Skip hot weather entirely. Bikejoring is strenuous, and overheating risk climbs fast.
• Keep both hands on the handlebars, and use only your rear brake. Grabbing the front brake at speed can send you over the handlebars.
• Watch your dog for signs of fatigue or overheating, and stop the moment you see them.

Frequently Asked Questions: Bikejoring

The Bottom Line on Bikejoring

Bikejoring is a serious workout dressed up as a fun ride: real exercise, real bonding, and a genuine test of teamwork between you and your dog. It's not for every dog or every rider, but for the right pair, it's one of the more exhilarating ways to spend time outside together.

Take training seriously, invest in the right gear, and always let your dog's enthusiasm (or lack of it) be your guide. Do that, and bikejoring can become one of the highlights of your week, not just your dog's.

🐾 Give your dog room to build strength and confidence before you hit the trail together. Find a private Sniffspot near you →

Sources: Active Dog Sports bikejoring guide; American Kennel Club bikejoring resources; PetGuide bikejoring safety guide.

Reviewed by Olivia Peterson, CCS, owner of Sound Connection Dog Training. Olivia holds a Bachelor's in Animal Science Business Management from Washington State University and is certified through the Northwest School of Canine Studies.

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• Comprehensive Guide to Skijoring with Dogs | Dog Sports
• Ultimate Guide to Dog Sledding | Sniffspot
• Beginner's Guide to Dog Sports | Competitions & Activities
• Best Ways to Exercise Your Dog at Home and Out in Public