I only have a few suggestions about hiking with your dog especially on a bike trail. I am a Mtn biker so I have spent a lot of time on bike trails both hiking and biking with Koko on and off leash. If you hike a bike trail you need to be aware that most bikes can be on you before you know they are coming. If the bilke trails in Jersy are anything like Alabama the trails wind in and out of trees and brush. If you have a dog on a 15-20 ft leash you will spend a lot of time with the leash wrapped around a tree or bush because unfortunately the dog doesn't realize that it is not going the way you are. If you are on a bike trail I suggest you keep a short leash because other than the obstacles, bikes can be on you before you can reel pooch in. With a dog that hasn't been around bikes they need to be a good distance off trail when a bike passes or they can hurt the biker and themselves in the process. If your dog lunges at cars while on leash they will definately lunge at bikes. I have hiked and biked with the reel type connected to koko and I can say they are disaster looking for a place to happen. Been there done that, disaster that is.