Safety and Education Committee Report - Archive

Using your Front Brake

Bicycles require more skill to stop quickly than automobiles. When you depress the brake pedal in a car the brakes on all four wheels are applied (some cars even have an anti-lock feature). The front and back brakes work independently on a bicycle. When improperly used the front brake can cause the rider to go over the handlebars and crash. Many riders are afraid to use the front brake for this reason. Some experts claim 90% a vehicle’s braking force is generated by its front brakes. Obviously to safely operate a bicycle using the front brake is a skill that should be mastered.

If the vehicle’s center of gravity far enough back and low enough, the back wheel it cannot be lifted by applying the front brake. A recumbent will probably have its front wheel skid long before the rear wheel lifts. When riding a “normal” bike getting low and sliding back will help keep the rear wheel down. Carrying your loads over the rear wheel in panniers will make stopping easier.

For emergency stops, most experts recommend applying the rear brake first and then using as much front brake as possible. Personally, I rarely use the rear brake. At speeds below 30 MPH the stopping difference when using the back brake isn’t very much and the rear wheel locks up very easily. When the back wheel locks up the bike will turn sideways when skidding. Keeping directional control is more important to me than stopping a foot sooner.

Motorcycles are generally the fastest stopping vehicles on the road. My commuter bike has disc brakes and might be able to stop quicker than a car. The rim brakes on most bikes are less effective. Unless the bike is carrying a load the brakes should stop the vehicle in about the same distance it takes to stop a car going the same speed. To test your braking skills find an empty road or big parking lot. Measure the distance it takes to stop your car at a certain speed. Try to stop your bicycle in less distance when traveling at the same speed. When you think you’re pretty good challenge a friend. Keep practicing; when you can compete with the competent motorcyclists you’ve mastered the skill.

Bill Fisk- Safety and Education

Safety and Education Coordinator