DoggyRide

DoggyRide

Type	Bicycle trailer/stroller
Owner	Dutch Dog Design
Country	United States/Netherlands
Introduced	2003
Markets	Europe/North America
Registered as a trademark in	United States/Benelux
Website	http://www.doggyride.com

DoggyRide is a brand name belonging to United States and Netherlands based Dutch Dog Design for a dog bicycle trailer and stroller. The brand’s popularity has led to its becoming a genericized trademark in the Dutch language.

Description

While the concept of pulling it behind your bicycle is the same a dog bicycle trailer is differently engineered than a child bicycle trailer. The main differences is the flat flooring in the cabin with the result that the passenger does not sit stably on the axle, which causes challenges in the directional stability of the trailer. DoggyRide included stability features in their newer models, such as a lower center of gravity and the tow bar aligned from the center.

History

DoggyRide introduced their first Original product in the Netherlands in 2003 with the following year to add a conversion kit to convert the bicycle trailer into a dog stroller. In 2007 two more models were introduced, the Mini for smaller pooches and a luxury model. After its first success in Europe the products were introduced in the United States in 2006.

Intended use

The idea behind a bicycle trailer for dogs was inspired by someone who took his dog to the dog park in Marymoor Park by bicycle. Other uses have been an active cycling vacation, especially for dog owners that want to include their dog with their outdoor activity. Over the years several adventurers have used the DoggyRide dog bike trailer for adventure travel around the country or the world and take their dog with them^[1]. Other uses have been for service dogs where the trailer is connected to the wheelchair.

Media

In 2009 the DoggyRide products along with the DoggySnooze brand of Dutch Dog Design were part of the fifth episode of the Junior Apprentice in the United Kingdom. The candidates got the assignment to find some Dutch design products to market in the United Kingdom and selected among others this brand.

Knock offs

The product was filed for design patent with the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property^[2] but the success of the product led to a number of knock-offs. The first knock off by German company Karlie was featured on a consumer protection TV program Kassa (television program) broadcasted by the Omroepvereniging VARA after a complaint from a user whose dog escaped from the trailer after ripping the fabric^[3]. Another knock off in North America is marketed by Solvit Products.

Trailers

• Mini - for dog breeds up to 15 inches shoulder height
• Original - accommodates the medium to larger size dog breeds
• Novel - luxury model

See also

• List of bicycle part manufacturing companies
• Bicycle trailer

References

1. ^ "wir über uns". Backtrekk. http://www.backtrekk.de/bt_wir_ueber_uns.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 
2. ^ "Benelux Design Patent 36906-01/02". BOIP - Benelux Office for Intellectual Property. http://www.boip.int/en/modellen/introduction.html. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 
3. ^ "Vara Kassa De Verlenging: hondenkar kan geen puppy aan" (in Dutch). Kassa.vara.nl. Omroepvereniging VARA. http://kassa.vara.nl/tv/afspeelpagina/fragment/de-verlenging-hondenkar-kan-geen-puppy-aan/speel/1/. Retrieved 2010-01-22. 

• "Ook de hond moet mee [The dog must go with]" (in Dutch). Trouw (Amsterdam). 27 February 2004. http://www.trouw.nl/krantenarchief/2004/02/27/2200672/Ook_de_hond_moet_mee.html. Retrieved 22 January 2010. 
• Weissman, Leah (April 12, 2008). "Climbing Every Mountain". Curry Coastal Pilot (Brookings, Oregon). http://www.currypilot.com/2008041296638/Features/Features/CLIMBING-EVERY-MOUNTAIN. Retrieved 22 January 2010. 
• Lancour, Jenny (August 19, 2008). "Well-deserved belly scratch". Daily Press. http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/505814.html?nav=5003. Retrieved 28 January 2010. 
• Reporter, Staff (September 09, 2008). "NIAGARA FALLS: A stop on the Tour De Dog". Niagara Gazette (Niagara Falls, New York). http://www.niagara-gazette.com/local/local_story_253194917.html/resources_printstory. Retrieved 28 January 2010. 

External links

• Official website
• Bicycling to climb every mountain, Gear Review, Bicycling Magazine, March 2010, retrieved 14 March 2010
• Going Your Way?, Gear Review, Bicycling Magazine, March 2010
• Inner Wolf UK DoggyRide Trailers