You didn't read my post very carefully. There was no warning. No time to do anything but grab for brakes and/or backpedal a little. No time to stand up brace yourself and skid. He wasn't going like a bat out of hell. Just normal everyday speed. On a bike trail. And both these counter-arguments are missing the point. Stuff happens. Handbrakes allow you to react quicker if you need to make an emergency stop. Please use one and save pleas for the courtroom.