Do you really need to use your brakes
Monday 7th October 2002 
After witnessing a great feat of pure strength and courage recently the question begs, do we need to use our brakes when we want to stop while riding a bike.
I was driving along McCrae street when I came to a halt at the traffic lights near BRIT and St Killians Church. Noticeably an elderly cyclist came tearing up past me on the inside lane and then realised that the lights had turned red. At this stage he was already at the first white line, so instead of using his hand brakes like any other person, his feet went down in an attempt to stop himself. They dragged along the asphalt his black dress shoes copping the worst of it.
Eventually he did stop but not after forcing an oncoming motorist to slightly divert around him when he came to a halt around 3 or 4 metres over the white line.
His dress shoes had done him proud, a little black nugget and they would have been right to wear.
So next time you don't feel pressured to use your breaks why not stick the old foot in the ground and let it bring you to a grinding halt.

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