What exactly is bikejoring?

With summer not completely over, many areas across the nation still have amazing outdoor weather that is perfect for partaking in sporty outdoor activities. When it comes to being active, one great way to do that is alongside your dog, depending on the breed and activity it can handle. Thanks to pop culture and media, when people hear of outdoor activities with our furry friends, the first thing that comes to mind is generally dogsled racing – but have you ever heard of bikejoring? Most people haven&rsquo-t!

Unlike dogsled racing, which takes place in the snowy winter, bikejoring is simply bike riding with dogs pulling you, the cyclist. (Alternatively, you can also use a dog scooter instead of a bike as well.) Any breed of a dog can be used, however, the most popular ones for the sport include Siberian Huskies, Samoyeds, Malamutes, Alaskan Huskies, and American pit bulls. Pretty much any dog that can be taught to run, pull, and accept a few commands can be used in order to bikejor, to an extent. Bikejoring is an adventurous activity that you can share with your dog, as you learn to think and work alongside each other as a team. It is also very beneficial for canine health and fitness – it&rsquo-s quite the workout for your pup!

Like many physical activities, bikejoring also has its risks, especially for you, the cyclist. As in any instance of bike riding, there&rsquo-s a possibility you will fall off the bike and have an accident – which is why it&rsquo-s important to wear the proper safety equipment and precautions, especially a helmet! Make sure your canine(s) are trained well and that you don&rsquo-t bikejor on busy streets where it is easy to have a dangerous accident. It can also be a problem if your dog gets distracted by wild-life while on your bikejor. Be sure to know your dog, yourself and don&rsquo-t forget to have fun!

(Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)