The reason for the front brake to be on the left (for those who ride on the right of the road) is so the laft hand is free to signal. This goes back to the days when we also used to signal when we were stopping. When using both front and back levers, that would be a good idea. but if you are only using a front brake, then a lever would be a better idea. As for being able to use it the other way around, it is possible as we (from Down Under) who ride on the left of the road, we have our brakes the other way.