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Home » Cycling skills » Bike handling » Shifting gears

Braking

How to brake effectively and safely on a bicycle.

In this complimentary section from our online course ‘Traffic Smarts for Cyclists,’ link opens in new window we discuss proper braking technique.

  • Any bike handling skills that are new to you are best practiced off the road, in a controlled area such as a paved playground or basketball court, or a vacant parking lot.
  • Always stay within your comfort level, and pay close attention to what you are doing.
  • Don’t practice these skills when you are tired or distracted.

Now let’s look at some important braking techniques, including:

  • How many fingers to use on the brake levers.
  • How much front brake to use (and why skilled riders use more front brake than rear).
  • What to do if your rear wheel skids.
  • ‘Covering’ your brake levers to give you a faster response time.
  • Dealing with different road and weather conditions.

Launch Presentation

 


Which hand controls which brake on your bike?

which hand controls which brake on a bicycle

In North America:

The right hand controls the rear brake
• Think "right = rear"
    • with an 'r' in each word.

The left hand controls the front brake.
• Think "left = front"
    • with an 'f' in each word.

 


Other complimentary sections from our online courses. link opens in new window

  • Traffic skills:
    • Changing lanes in traffic
    • How to trigger a traffic light on your bike
    • Navigating traffic circles & roundabouts

  • Bike handling skills
    • Shifting gears

  • Equipment
    • Parts of the bike
    • Choosing & adjusting your bicycle helmet

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The Center for Cycling Education

1 month ago

The Center for Cycling Education
When you ride up to a traffic light and nothing happens, and you wait and wait...It doesn't happen to people driving a car, yet there are ways of getting the light to change. (And if it doesn't, here's what you can do.)thecce.org/cycling-skills/traffic/triggering-a-traffic-light-on-your-bike/ ... See MoreSee Less

Triggering a traffic light on your bike | The Center for Cycling Education

thecce.org

How to get an unresponsive traffic light to detect your bicycle.
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The Center for Cycling Education

3 months ago

The Center for Cycling Education
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/feb/25/brompton-bikes-plans-100m-wetland-factory-on-stilts ... See MoreSee Less

Brompton Bikes plans £100m wetland factory on stilts

www.theguardian.com

Britain’s biggest cycle maker commissions circular factory over Ashford floodplain with capacity to make 200,000 bikes a year
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The Center for Cycling Education

11 months ago

The Center for Cycling Education
Now available: an extensive update to our Traffic Smarts for Cyclists courses! Separate versions for Canada and the USA.Act now before the upcoming price increase.thecce.org/online-courses/ ... See MoreSee Less

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The Center for Cycling Education

1 years ago

The Center for Cycling Education
A worthwhile article. Thanks very much to Ron Richings for sharing."Cycling alone in the dark is still a privilege.""Planners need to be thinking about the people who are the least likely cyclists: older people, the disabled, women, and children,” Clement said. “And if you think of disabled people first, in particular, you’ll often cover everybody’s needs.”"usa.streetsblog.org/2021/02/12/how-to-support-women-on-bikes-in-winter/ ... See MoreSee Less

How to Support Women on Bikes in Winter

usa.streetsblog.org

“In order for the bike boom to continue, we have to include everyone, and that’s not just about snow clearance,” said one panelist at the Winter Cycling Conference.
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The Center for Cycling Education

2 years ago

The Center for Cycling Education
Framing things in the right way. This is fun to watch.(Thanks to Christopher Stanton for making me aware of this.) ... See MoreSee Less

How I Deal With Kids Playing in My Driveway | The Saga of My Driveway Racetrack

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Every night I would get an alert from my driveway security camera, and at first I was a bit annoyed, but then I found myself looking forward to the evening a...

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