Do you legally need two brakes?

[gaz]

That's your opinion, it seems that those making, selling and using "Dutch" bikes have a different opinion(s) and find them less than essential. It's IMHO a dangerous route to follow to think that "illegal=dangerous, therefore* Legal=safe"


*( Why can I never find the symbol for therefore?)

I found something that might interest you whilst doing some reading on the subject in general.
On this page near the bottom, under the heading International Requirements.

Would it be possible to argue an imported bike falls under this? Maybe not.. but worth knowing about.

 

[Little yellow Brompton]

Our legislators don't always get it right, sometimes the law is an ass, but in this case they have got it right, two brakes are usually safer than just one brake.



What flavour of Ubuntu are you on? I'm running 10.04.

Yet again you seem to be arguing against the reality that is Holland.


Errr 11.1 I think...

 

[Zoiders]

The home office web site contains all the legislation and definitions of offences for any one who is interested.

 

[gaz]

The home office web site contains all the legislation and definitions of offences for any one who is interested.

It took me a while to find the one regarding brakes on bicycles though. not easy to find!

 

[Riding in Circles]

It's fine to sell them without brakes if the intended purpose is for use on an enclosed track.

However if you know or could be shown to have thought it likely for the pedal cycle to be used on the road then the onus is still on the seller.

 

[gaz]

However if you know or could be shown to have thought it likely for the pedal cycle to be used on the road then the onus is still on the seller.

No doubt..

 

[Ian H]

I've done some digging and found the legislation regarding brakes on bikes. It can be read here.

Basically it outlines the following
[etc]

​

It goes on to say that a (traditional) trike not designed for load carrying can just have two front wheel brakes, and, in answer to the original question, a bike temporarily imported, or for temporary use in this country, doesn't need to comply with UK standards.

So (more or less) to use a Dutch bike with no front brake would be illegal for a permanent UK resident.

 

[Holy Warrior]

What is the fascination with the front wheel? Surely if you just had to have one then you would choose the back? Safer surely, less chance of going over handlebars!

 

[gaz]

What is the fascination with the front wheel? Surely if you just had to have one then you would choose the back? Safer surely, less chance of going over handlebars!

You can stop in about half the distance with the front wheel alone than the rear wheel alone.
Only an in-experienced cyclist will go over the handlebars when braking with the front wheel.

 

[Little yellow Brompton]

You can stop in about twice half the distance with the front wheel alone than the rear wheel alone.
Only an in-experienced cyclist will go over the handlebars when braking with the front wheel.

Errr I think that's now right?

 

[gaz]

Errr I think that's now right?

Doh!! thanks.

 

[Little yellow Brompton]

Doh!! thanks.

No, no, No, NO, NOOO! When someone corrects you on the 'Tinterweb you must immediately start casting aspersions on their ancestry, intelligence and motives! Please try and maintain the established procedures!

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Yet again you seem to be arguing against the reality that is Holland.

Errr 11.1 I think...

As I said before I have no knowledge of Holland, but I do have over 40 years experience of cycling in this country, all that experience has taught me that I need two brakes.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

What is the fascination with the front wheel? Surely if you just had to have one then you would choose the back? Safer surely, less chance of going over handlebars!

In dry conditions with good grip the front brake is the best one to stop you, however in slippery conditions, snow, ice, wet leaves and mud etc, the back brake is the best option, use of the front brake puts you at risk of a face plant.

 

[seadragonpisces]

Of my 3 bikes only 1 has a front brake, the other 2 a rear coaster brake only :-). My bike shop not allowed to import any bikes from Europe for me with rear coaster only, so I had to import mine from the USA instead myself