The Springer Bike Leash for Dogs: Safe or Silly?

The weather’s great and you want to go biking—but your pooch is giving you the “Hey, what about me?” look. No problem, a new gizmo called the Springer leash lets you bring the dog on your bike ride.

The old gizmo that let you do that—it’s called a leash—was problematic, because it meant you had to steer with one hand while your pup pulled you in all directions. But the Springer, a steel bar that quickly and easily clamps to your bike, let's you keep both hands on the handlebars while your pup stays a safe distance away from the pedals and wheels. It’s also got a low-mounted coil spring that absorbs most of the dog’s tugging, smoothing out your ride. What about lampposts, you say? Well, if you go one way and your fella the other, the Springer has a safety release that ensures you won’t all end up in a heap (“No more scrapes and bruises!” the Springer people promise).

Reasonably priced at around $64, it’s not going to be for everyone. Some dog owners don’t want their furry ones anywhere near grinding gears or spinning spokes, much less whizzing street traffic. And having your dog clamped to your bike means you can’t play Lance Armstrong in the Pyrenees—you pretty much have to let your pooch set the pace. So the next time you get that forlorn “Hey, what about me?” look, do you ditch the bike, ditch the dog or spring for the Springer?

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Alex Tresniowski