What is Brakeless?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,863
Bikes: too many of all kinds
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1147 Post(s)
Liked 415 Times
in
335 Posts
What is Brakeless?
Some of you mention getting ticketed for riding brakeless. Legally, what does "brakeless" mean?
According to Michigan Motor Vehicle Code, Section 257.662(2):
“A bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable
the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level,
clean pavement.”
so, If I am geared low enough and riding slow enough to do a skip stop - that means that legally (in MI) I have brakes.
According to Michigan Motor Vehicle Code, Section 257.662(2):
“A bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable
the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level,
clean pavement.”
so, If I am geared low enough and riding slow enough to do a skip stop - that means that legally (in MI) I have brakes.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 398
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
In some states a fixed gear is considered a brake if you are able to stop within a certain distance by using your legs and skidding.
Found it. This is copied directly from the city of memphis bicycle laws sheet.
Section 21-200. Equipment - Brake
Every bicycle operated upon streets in the city shall be equipped with a brake or brakes which will enable its driver to stop the bicycle within twenty five feet (25') from a speed of ten miles per hour (10mph) on dry, level, clean pavement. Such brake(s) shall be maintained in good working order at all times. For the purposes of this section, the drivetrain of a fixed gear bike is considered a brake provided the rider can demonstrate compliance with the braking requirement stated herein.
Found it. This is copied directly from the city of memphis bicycle laws sheet.
Section 21-200. Equipment - Brake
Every bicycle operated upon streets in the city shall be equipped with a brake or brakes which will enable its driver to stop the bicycle within twenty five feet (25') from a speed of ten miles per hour (10mph) on dry, level, clean pavement. Such brake(s) shall be maintained in good working order at all times. For the purposes of this section, the drivetrain of a fixed gear bike is considered a brake provided the rider can demonstrate compliance with the braking requirement stated herein.
Last edited by Capocaccia; 07-30-10 at 10:30 AM.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: East coast
Posts: 2,671
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac Expert, Cannondale R700, Specialized Langster, Iron Horse Hollowpoint Team, Schwinn Homegrown
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
really depends on the cop and/or judge.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: fruita, co
Posts: 1,701
Bikes: rocky mountain SLAYER!!!! trek, voodoo, surly, spot, bianchi, ibis
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
your foot jammed in the wheel is a brake. i know this for a fact. my chain actually came off once, and i HAD to stop. so even without mechanical brakes, you have a means of braking if you really really need to. philosophically, there is no such thing as "Brakeless."
#5
Veteran Racer
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Posts: 11,758
Bikes: 32 frames + 80 wheels
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1331 Post(s)
Liked 764 Times
in
431 Posts
Some of you mention getting ticketed for riding brakeless. Legally, what does "brakeless" mean?
According to Michigan Motor Vehicle Code, Section 257.662(2):
“A bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable
the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level,
clean pavement.”
so, If I am geared low enough and riding slow enough to do a skip stop - that means that legally (in MI) I have brakes.
According to Michigan Motor Vehicle Code, Section 257.662(2):
“A bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable
the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level,
clean pavement.”
so, If I am geared low enough and riding slow enough to do a skip stop - that means that legally (in MI) I have brakes.
#6
Oh, you know...
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DC
Posts: 2,834
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Sports Tourer (Polo), S-Works E5 Team Festina (Chorus 11), Trek 2200 Bonded Carbon (Fixed), Trek 920 (7 speed IGH), Chesini Olimpiade SL (1x7)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah, I wouldn't bet on it.
Most municipalities that consider a fixed drivetrain a break have specific clauses in there, as Capo quoted.
If your state doesn't have that clause, then your FG is probably required to have a separate brake.
If you get cited for riding brakeless and try to argue what you've posted here, best of luck to you. You won't be the first to try that line of logic, and you won't be the last.
Most municipalities that consider a fixed drivetrain a break have specific clauses in there, as Capo quoted.
If your state doesn't have that clause, then your FG is probably required to have a separate brake.
If you get cited for riding brakeless and try to argue what you've posted here, best of luck to you. You won't be the first to try that line of logic, and you won't be the last.
#7
Veteran Racer
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Posts: 11,758
Bikes: 32 frames + 80 wheels
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1331 Post(s)
Liked 764 Times
in
431 Posts
In some states a fixed gear is considered a brake if you are able to stop within a certain distance by using your legs and skidding.
Found it. This is copied directly from the city of memphis bicycle laws sheet.
Section 21-200. Equipment - Brake
Every bicycle operated upon streets in the city shall be equipped with a brake or brakes which will enable its driver to stop the bicycle within twenty five feet (25') from a speed of ten miles per hour (10mph) on dry, level, clean pavement. Such brake(s) shall be maintained in good working order at all times. For the purposes of this section, the drivetrain of a fixed gear bike is considered a brake provided the rider can demonstrate compliance with the braking requirement stated herein.
Found it. This is copied directly from the city of memphis bicycle laws sheet.
Section 21-200. Equipment - Brake
Every bicycle operated upon streets in the city shall be equipped with a brake or brakes which will enable its driver to stop the bicycle within twenty five feet (25') from a speed of ten miles per hour (10mph) on dry, level, clean pavement. Such brake(s) shall be maintained in good working order at all times. For the purposes of this section, the drivetrain of a fixed gear bike is considered a brake provided the rider can demonstrate compliance with the braking requirement stated herein.
#8
Oh, you know...
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DC
Posts: 2,834
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Sports Tourer (Polo), S-Works E5 Team Festina (Chorus 11), Trek 2200 Bonded Carbon (Fixed), Trek 920 (7 speed IGH), Chesini Olimpiade SL (1x7)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
For general info: DC has the same fixed drivetrain exemption as Memphis.
#9
Banana-tastic!
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,969
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I clicked on this thinking it was going to be a troll thread.
Maybe. But as others have pointed out, if a cop/judge decides to take "equipped with a brake" as meaning actual brakes, then I'm not really sure you can argue your way out of that one.
Maybe. But as others have pointed out, if a cop/judge decides to take "equipped with a brake" as meaning actual brakes, then I'm not really sure you can argue your way out of that one.
#10
Fresh Garbage
Someone already took this to court with a video demonstration of fixed gear vs coaster brake. Both bikes slowed the same but she still lost, so I don't see how you can argue for brakeless when it's already been shot down in court. I believe this was in CA, so if your brake law is like CA's...
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: where the mild things roam
Posts: 1,092
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Someone already took this to court with a video demonstration of fixed gear vs coaster brake. Both bikes slowed the same but she still lost, so I don't see how you can argue for brakeless when it's already been shot down in court. I believe this was in CA, so if your brake law is like CA's...
#12
Team Beer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Sacramento CA
Posts: 6,339
Bikes: Too Many
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 114 Post(s)
Liked 159 Times
in
104 Posts
The Oregon case was won by the fixed rider.
__________________
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: fruita, co
Posts: 1,701
Bikes: rocky mountain SLAYER!!!! trek, voodoo, surly, spot, bianchi, ibis
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
what baffles me is that a cop would actually take the time to give some dude on a bicycle a ticket.
#14
Disgruntled Grad Student
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 446
Bikes: CAAD 10, Cross Pro, Cross Comp, TK2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well, it depends on the area/how uptight the cops are. furthermore, a ticket is revenue for the municipality. really, why wouldnt a cop give anyone a ticket when, legally, they deserve it? (just for sake of argument. there are plenty of reasons, and that's just dandy)
much like a seatbelt ticket, I'd assume brakeless tickets are most often given in addition to another moving violation.
much like a seatbelt ticket, I'd assume brakeless tickets are most often given in addition to another moving violation.
#15
old legs
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 910
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Brakeless in my town is targeted at the BMXicans......not a one of them rides with a brake nor can they stop with any control....I on the other hand am largely ignored
#16
Palmer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,627
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1668 Post(s)
Liked 1,821 Times
in
1,059 Posts
#17
Palmer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,627
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1668 Post(s)
Liked 1,821 Times
in
1,059 Posts
#19
THE STUFFED
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 12,671
Bikes: R. Sachs Road; EAI Bareknuckle; S-Works Enduro
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 20 Times
in
17 Posts
It sure helps to live in an area where majority of police departments are underfunded and short staffed (Oakland just lost 80 ticket givers last week or so)..... bikers "without" brakes would be the least of their problems to attended to.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,213
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My town's police doesnt give a rats ass about brakeless bikes. Long time ago, i had to go buy some cream cheese so I took my beat up mountain bike from 1992. It had no lights, no brakes, and I passed 6 cops on the way. No one cared, they just waved at me.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: where the mild things roam
Posts: 1,092
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 330
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
That's baffling