10 Best Dog Leashes for Biking in 2022 – Reviews & Top Picks

There is nothing more frustrating than fumbling with your dog’s leash in one hand while trying to steer your bike with the other. Although it is possible to use a regular dog leash while riding your bike, there are leash design options that make it easier to go for a ride while also keeping both hands free.

How do you know which one is the best quality, though? Which one is the most comfortable for your dog and you?

We asked the same questions and put together a list of reviews of which dog bike leashes are the best. You can now compare all the different styles and decide which one seems like the right fit for you and your dog.

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A Quick Comparison of our Favorites in 2022

The 10 Best Bike Leashes for Dogs

1. Walky Dog Plus Dog Bike Leash – Best Overall

The Walky Dog Plus works great for riding your bike with your dog because it allows you to have hands-free freedom. It attaches directly to the seat mount, so your dog is secure, and makes it the best dog bike attachment for running and walks on our list. It is built from sturdy, military-grade materials with a built-in shock-absorbing system. You can lock and release your dog easily too: It just snaps on and off. Your dog also has some leeway, so they’re not held taut.

The downside of this design is that your dog doesn’t have a ton of room to move about from the bike. It’d be nice if it extended up to 12 inches or so, but it only extends about 5 inches.

Overall, we think that this is one of the best bike dog leashes of 2020.

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2. Petego Cycleash Dog Bike Leash – Best Value

The Petego Cycleash gives you the best bike leash for the money. It also attaches to the seat mount on your bike, but it has a flexible cord that can give your dog a little more freedom than the Walky Dog. The cord is also long enough that you can seamlessly transition from walking to clipping your dog in for the bike ride, making it the second best dog bike attachment for walks and runs on our list. You can also take two dogs with you as opposed to just one.

A major drawback with this leash, however, is that the clasps can snap. Although it does have a great price, the fact that it breaks easily creates a safety concern.

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3. Bike Tow Dog Bike Leash – Premium Choice

The Bike Tow Leash is slightly more expensive than most other bike leashes, but the design keeps your dog in a heel position, as it attaches low on the bike. It is also flexible enough to allow some freedom of movement for your dog. The material is strong, and you don’t have to worry about it breaking off.

The mounting bracket doesn’t fit all bikes, however, so you need to make sure it will fit yours before purchasing. It also only attaches on the left side of your bike, which can be a safety concern. You can purchase a ride-side attachment separately, but this is inconvenient, especially since the original setup is already quite pricey.

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4. DOGGERJOGGER Bike Dog Leash

The Doggerjogger Bike Dog Leash wraps around both the seat mount and the pedal for two points of security. It doesn’t damage your bike because the material is soft and flexible like a typical dog leash. Since it doesn’t rely on a metal bracket, it fits onto all bikes.

This leash comes equipped with a breakaway release in case of emergency, but the clasp is weak and can release accidentally, which is concerning if you have a dog prone to chasing strangers or squirrels. The clasps are also just weak in general and can break after only a couple of uses.

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5. Paw Retractable Hands-Free Dog Leash

The Paw Lifestyles Retractable Hands-Free Dog Leash is different from previous ones because it does not attach directly to a bike. Instead, it attaches to a waist belt, so you can have the hands-free freedom to do various activities besides riding your bike, like running. It also includes a small pouch on the band to store your phone, money, dog treats, etc. If you run or ride your bike at night, the reflective stitching will keep you visible to cars and other people.

Although there are a couple of clips that allow you to keep your dog nearby or farther off, there isn’t enough versatility in length, as your dog will either be way too close or much too far away. The belt also tends to loosen as you run or as your dog pulls, so you’ll have to re-tighten it occasionally.

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6. Primal Pet Gear Dog Leash

The Primal Pet Gear Dog Leash can be used while riding a bike or running, but it does not have a hands-free option — you still have to hold onto the leash. Also, it’s only designed for medium to large dogs.

One benefit of this design is that it has two handles for more control, so you can hold your dog closer or farther away. It also has a strong clip that doesn’t break easily.

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7. forepets Hands-Free Dog Leash

The forepets Hands-Free Dog Leash has a waistband for a hands-free option, which is great for running or riding your bike. It also has dual-control handles to help rein your dog in or let them out, depending on the situation.

Unlike the Paw Lifestyles leash, this one does not come with a pocket to store your phone, keys, money, etc., so you’d still need a bag or pockets to carry those items. The band only tightens up to a certain point, leaving it loose for people with smaller waists. Its plastic clips are not the strongest, either, and tend to break pretty easily.

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8. Bolux DC005 Bungee Dog Leash

The Bolux has a waistband and dual-control handles for hands-free mobility and extra control over how short or long you want the leash to be. This also comes with D-rings in a couple of places, so you can hook the leash closer or farther away without having to hold onto it.

The clips are quite weak, however, and can snap while on walks. This is a safety concern not only for you and your dog but also for people nearby if your dog suddenly breaks loose. The Bolux is not sewn super well, as the threads can come unraveled easily. Although this is not necessarily a safety concern, it doesn’t look great, so it’s better to purchase a leash with better quality stitching.

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9. BIKE AND DOG Leash

The Bike and Dog leash attaches directly to the seat mount of your bike. It’s made with flexible, soft material, so your dog has a freedom of movement, albeit limited. You can also attach two dogs at once, so you can all go for a bike ride together.

It keeps your dog at a distance from you, but it is arguably still too close to the wheel for comfort. It also doesn’t extend; it only has one length, so it is quite limited. The design doesn’t work well for small dogs because being so close to the wheel can be scary for them. Also, if your dog tries to switch sides, the leash can get caught in the bike’s wheels, causing a safety concern.

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10. BIG SMILE PAW Hands-Free Dog Leash for Bikes

The Big Smile Paw Hands Free Dog Leash is similar to the Bolux in its design. It has a waistband for hands-free mobility and dual-control handles to keep your dog at your desired distance.

It doesn’t have great versatility for the length, though, because it feels like it is either way too short or way too long. The waist band also does not have any pockets, and it is made from low-quality material that feels like it will break if pulled too hard. This can make it stressful to take your dog out, as you will constantly be worried about them breaking away. These reasons are why this model is last on our list.

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Buyer’s Guide

Ideal Dogs for Biking

Generally, dog bike leashes are designed for medium to large dogs, as they are more likely to keep up with the speed of your bike. For smaller dogs (under 25 pounds), you may want to consider a dog bike seat or a trailer to attach to the back. Biking is also not suitable for puppies under a year old and less than 30 pounds. Other breeds of dogs may not do well biking either, such as dogs with flat faces like bulldogs, as it can be harder to them to breathe, or dogs with long, slender bodies, like dachshunds. Biking should be reserved for muscular dogs with athletic builds, especially for long-distance biking.

For the dogs who are built for jogging easily, having an appropriate dog bike leash can make a huge difference in the way you exercise together. You just need to make sure the style you choose works best for you and your dog.

Different Leash Designs

Several different leash designs work for riding a bike with your furry friend by your side. A specialized bike leash allows you to steer your bike without also having to hold onto your dog. Two designs that are best suited for bike riding are the direct bike attachment and the waist belt attachment. Both designs work well, it just depends on your personal preference which one you choose.

Direct Bike Attachment

The direct bike attachment design allows you complete freedom from having a leash attached to your person. It allows your dog to run alongside your bike at a close distance, so they cannot veer off into oncoming traffic or chase after other dogs or squirrels. You want the clips on these types of leashes to be very strong so there’s no risk of your dog coming loose into oncoming traffic or running away altogether. Make sure to look for models with high-quality brackets and clips that are proven to hold. The last thing you want is for your dog to break free when you are riding your bike in the street.

You also want to look for a leash that allows your dog to move about with some freedom. You don’t want them so close to your bike that they bump into it or hit your feet. Look for a model with a retractable cord that allows at least a foot or so of movement.

Waist Band Leashes

Leashes that attach to a waistband are also viable options. They allow you to participate in hands-free activities with your dog. These do not limit you to just bike-riding; you can also go running or just for a walk with your pet. Make sure to find a model that has a shock-absorbent cord, so you and your dog do not jerk each other around as you move. Similar to the leash that attaches directly to your bike, make sure the clips on a waistband leash are sturdy and will not accidentally release your dog. Metal clips usually work better than plastic.

Another good feature for this style is an added pocket on the waistband. This makes it easy to carry your personal belongings, as well as dog treats or poop bags, without having to bring an extra bag or wear a jacket with pockets.

Dual-Handle Control

Another feature to consider is a dual-handle control. This is usually found on a leash with a waistband. It allows you to securely hold your dog closer or farther away by having two different handles at varied distances from the end of the leash. This makes it more versatile for certain environments. For example, if you are riding your bike in a highly-populated area, you may want to keep your dog closer to you. Conversely, you can let your dog have more room if you are riding in a more rural area, where there is plenty of space to move about.

Conclusion:

Our top picks for the dog bike leashes are the Walky Dog, the Petego Cycleash, and the Bike Tow Leash. They are all similar styles in that they attach directly to your bike, but they differ in how they attach and how much freedom they allow your dog. There are also leashes on our list that attach to a waistband. Both styles are comparable, and the best choice just depends on your personal preference. The most important thing is that you find a style that works well for you and your dog. Whichever you prefer, we hope that you have found a good start to your shopping process by reading through our list of reviews and comprehensive buyer’s guide.

We hope that this guide helps you find the best bike dog leash for your needs. Best of luck!