Originally Posted by
himespau
I survived for much of my childhood with a "dirt bike" that just had a coaster brake on it. Did well enough for me. Maybe they don't want to put brakes on the front because they're afraid of a kid doing an endo and getting hit with a lawsuit?
Trust me, the front brakes they put on coaster-brake bikes aren't strong enough to endo anyone big enough to ride the bike. They're all cheap, stamped-steel side-pulls that barely lock up a wheel on ice.
It's all dollars; $3 of brake parts gets a $10-15 price hike.
The best way to go is with the screw-adjustable lever, and adjust the brake itself a little looser; not so loose that they can pull it back to the grip, but just enough room for fingers.
If your fork isn't drilled to take the brake, then you either have to be REALLY good with a drill (press), or do without.