No brakes not illegal on cycles

The cyclist shown in Pictures from the Past, February 19, may well have had no brakes on his machine - these were not legally required for a bike arranged as 'fixed wheel', that is no free wheel. As such the rear wheel is solidly coupled to the peddles.

The gear ratio was therefore preset. The formula to specify these ratios was quite esoteric.

Retardation could be achieved by backward pressure on the pedals, not exactly braking but probably as good as that available on some cars of the 1920s. This is not, however, the same as the effective "back pedalling brake' also used in those days on more domesticated bikes ( a deadly affair on loose surfaces).

Fixed wheel riding was de rigeur amongst sporting cyclists up until 1950. My father, a leading member of the Much Wenlock Cycle Club in the early 1920s introduced me to this mode, since one could never stop pedalling some wonderfully fast performances could be achieved.

A bell was mandatory for road use, this must have put the onus on pedestrians to listen and clear the way for those flying supermen who couldn't stop at all well.

A Minton, Bridgnorth