Fixed
A Portland judge ruled last week that fixed gear cyclists have to have a brake on their bikes. Boing Boing picked up the story today, and there was an article in The Oregonian a few days ago about the ruling.
I keep a front brake on my bike, mostly because I don’t trust the chain not to snap or slip off, but also because sometimes after a long day I just don’t have the energy to skid or backpedal down every hill on my commute.
I think the judge’s ruling will be overturned, though. I mean, if the city was serious about cyclists having brakes we wouldn’t have signs like these all over the place:
That guy doesn’t have brakes OR a chain. Also, there are plenty of brakeless fixie riders around who’ll be happy to demonstrate for a judge that they can come to a stop as quickly as any cyclist with brakes. Like this guy:
That’s interesting. I mean, backpedalling on a fixed gear is braking isn’t it? It’s just another kind of brake.
I’d like to compare a bad brake to a good backpedaller, stopping distance, etc. Well, actually I wouldn’t. Sounds like work. I’d like someone else to.
Comment by Pierce — August 1, 2006 @ 1:36 pm
Yeah, that’s basically the messenger’s argument; that her legs are the brake. The judge didn’t buy it. He said she should carry a stick to rub against the tire, and that would be fine.
Comment by Feaverish — August 2, 2006 @ 5:56 am
I almost got killed by a front brake. Hasn’t the judge ever heard of stories of people getting flipped off their bike due to locking front brakes. I’d rather skid out, then flip out.
This whole ruling is totally stupid.
Comment by STB — August 3, 2006 @ 8:39 am
And that bloke’s legs are amazingly disgusting.
Comment by STB — August 3, 2006 @ 8:40 am