19
BRAKE OPERATION
There are 2 types of braking systems for bicycles; Foot operated and hand operated.
Foot Operated Brakes
Foot operated brakes allow the rider to pedal forward to accelerate the bicycle, and
pedal backwards to brake. The harder you push back on the pedals, the more braking
force is applied to the rear wheel. In most cases a foot operated brake is strong enough
to “lock up” (stop the wheel from turning) the rear wheel and cause the tire to skid.
While this will decelerate the bicycle quickly, it will also cause unnecessary wear on
the tire, and terrain, and can cause a loss of steering control. It is recommended to
practice braking so that you have control over how quickly the bicycle comes to a stop.
It is also important to know the environment that you are riding on. For example, a dry
paved road is very predictable when stopping. But if you add rain, gravel, snow or any
thing else, the rider needs to be extra careful, and allow extra stopping distance, and
slow down before turning. The rider should also be careful as terrain changes to keep
the bicycle at a controllable speed.
Some models may have a combination of foot and hand operated brakes. It is OK to
operate them at the same time or independently. However, if the bicycle is equipped
with a front wheel hand brake, be careful to use front and rear brake simultaneously,
and avoid locking up the front wheel, as this can cause a loss of steering control, and
cause a crash. See hand operated brakes (p. 20) for more detail.
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