Biking on a beautiful day is one of life’s simple pleasures. With more bike-friendly infrastructure popping up in cities, it’s easier than ever to enjoy a ride. As a devoted dog owner, I always want to include my pups in my adventures. Spending quality time with them is a priority, but taking them along on bike rides seemed impractical and unsafe. Trying to juggle leashes while cycling with my dogs, Luna and Nova, proved to be a wobbly and uncomfortable experience, even with just one dog at a time!
That’s when I started exploring dog wagons that could attach to my bike, envisioning joyful rides with my whole pack. However, finding a commercially available wagon large enough for my three dogs felt like searching for a unicorn. So, the only logical solution? To embark on a DIY journey and build my own custom bike dog cart. Initially, I considered modifying a utility cart, attracted by their size, sturdiness, pre-attached wheels, and tow handle. But then, I discovered Wike’s DIY Bike Kit, and a more tailored plan began to take shape.
diy bike wagon steel frame wood panel german shepherd husky golden retriever australian shepherd
Crafting the Custom Bike Dog Cart
Wike, a Canadian company specializing in bike trailers, offers a fantastic DIY Bike Kit perfect for creating your own custom bicycle trailer. This kit includes essential components like tires, a bike hitch, and corner braces that simplify construction by removing the need for welding. For my project, this kit was ideal, allowing me to build a trailer with precise dimensions to comfortably and safely carry my dogs. The Wike kit provides a solid foundation for any DIY bike trailer project.
diy wike bike trailer kit
Once the kit was ordered, the real planning began. Determining the right size for the dog wagon was the first hurdle. I took my bike out on my usual routes, carefully measuring the width of bike lanes at different points. My goal was to ensure the wagon would fit comfortably within bike lanes, leaving ample clearance. With these measurements noted, I used tape to outline the intended wagon size on my living room floor. Then came the crucial “dog comfort test” – I had each dog sit within the taped area to gauge their comfort and ensure enough space for all three. Armed with these dimensions, I visited a local metal shop to purchase the necessary steel tubing. The metal shop proved incredibly helpful, cutting the steel precisely to my specified lengths, saving considerable time and effort.
Assembling the steel frame turned out to be surprisingly straightforward. Using a titanium drill bit, I easily created bolt holes in the steel tubing and used nuts and bolts to securely fasten the frame together. I incorporated a couple of clever modifications to the kit’s standard design. Firstly, I constructed the frame upside down. This simple inversion, thanks to the shape of the corner braces, maximized interior space for the dogs while maintaining a compact overall profile. Secondly, I added four vertical steel pieces to the frame. These were crucial for securely attaching the side rails, providing an essential extra layer of safety and containment for my canine passengers. The resulting frame was sturdy and ready for the next stage.
diy bike wagon steel frame wheels wood floor
With the steel frame complete, a trip to the hardware store was in order to select wood for the flooring and side rails. I chose oak for its exceptional strength, durability, and attractive natural grain, envisioning a beautiful and long-lasting finish. Opting to highlight the wood’s natural beauty, I simply applied polyurethane for protection, enhancing its resilience to the elements. For the steel frame, I chose a sleek black spray paint to achieve a sophisticated and clean aesthetic. The contrast between the dark frame and the warm wood created a visually appealing and functional dog wagon.
oak wood poly polyurethane bike wagon
Throughout this entire DIY Bike With Dog Cart project, the safety and well-being of my dogs remained paramount. This concern directly influenced several key design decisions. For enhanced structural integrity, I integrated additional corner braces at the front of the wagon, securely joining the rails for added strength. The wagon’s rear end required careful consideration to create a safe and practical entry and exit point. Initially, I considered traditional hinges and a latch for a door. However, I worried about the hinges’ ability to withstand potential stress from sudden stops, especially at the front and back of the wagon. My solution was to use hinges at the bottom of the wagon, creating a drawbridge-style door. Dual latches on each side, securing through the steel frame, ensure the door is incredibly strong and reliably secure when closed. Beyond the door, I incorporated further safety measures, including metal mesh, typically used for gutters, along the side rails. This mesh acts as a barrier, preventing paws or tails from getting too close to the spinning wheels. As a final touch, I spray-painted our company logo onto the finished wagon, adding a personalized element to the project. The result was a safe, functional, and stylish bike dog cart, ready for adventure.
white electric bike diy bike wagon steel frame wood flooring rails
Enjoying the Bike Rides Together
Riding around the city with my dogs in their custom wagon has been an absolute joy! The reactions we get from people are priceless – smiles, waves, and enthusiastic comments from drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. One particularly memorable moment was riding past a school during recess and having a small parade of children running alongside us, their faces lit up with excitement. After our bike adventures, we often head to the dog park for a swim. The best part about the wagon? The dogs can air-dry on the ride home, leaving my car smelling fresh instead of doggy!
Here’s a quick video showcasing the dog bike trailer in action:
Follow our adventures on TikTok @milunova
@milunovaNow I can finally bring my pack with me while cycling 🐕🐕🐕 😄 ##EasyDiy ##weekendvibes ##dogsoftiktok ##cycling ##biking
Considering Future Bike Dog Cart Upgrades
Currently, each dog is secured with a single anchor point leash within the wagon, as pictured below. While this system effectively prevents them from jumping out, I feel it’s somewhat restrictive for their comfort and movement. I’m considering implementing a rail system inside the wagon. This would allow the dogs more freedom to move around while still ensuring they remain safely inside the cart and unable to jump out. If you have any innovative ideas for a suitable rail system or other potential upgrades for my bike dog cart, I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments!
wood panel leash attachment diy bike dog wagon
