Is there a way to brake safely when cycling?

Question

A dog ran out in front of my bike whilst I was out in the park this morning, and I had to slam on my brakes. Somehow this resulted in me sailing over the handlebars. I wasn't hurt, but might be next time... I know I must have braked wrong, how do you do correctly so this doesn't happen?

Answer 1

Hit both brakes at the same time the back just a little harder than the front.  Shift as much of your weight as you can to the back. Try not to lock the brakes if they start to lock pump them.  When you are sliding you are not stopping pretend like you are the ABS system on a nice car.

Answer 2

When you brake the centre of gravity moves to the front of the bike potentially making it unstable so ideally you pull the back brake first to decelerate and then the front brake. In an emergency however e.g. to avoid hitting something in the road you often have no choice but to pull both brakelevers at once and hope for the best.

Answer 3

Gently squeeze the front and really grip the rear brake. I also try and use air resistance which braking to help if I'm trying to slow down from high speed, by standing slightly and making the front of my body larger.

Answer 4

I always brake with both hands, but that isn't the best for all situations. In general, when going up hill, if you need to stop, use the front brake, and when going down hill, use the back brake. If you use the front break while going town hill, you can lock up your front wheel and endo (like you did). And vice versa for going up a hill.

They also make anti-lock bike brakes to help the situation as well. If endoing is a commom problem for you, you may want to look into those.

Answer 5

Locking up the front wheel will do that.

Setting the pads a bit more open on the front than the back will help a little, but it really comes down to practice.  As noted by another, a panic stop usually requires using more back than front, and possibly some sideways slide as well.  

P.S.  Is it clear to you now why helmets are a good idea?

Answer 6

The fastest and safest way to stop is not intuitive. Use only the front brake. You will stop twice as fast as using the rear brake alone. It's important to brace your arms against the bar and move your weight as far back on the saddle as you can. What happened to you is that you didn't brace your arms. The bike stopped but you didn't. Your thighs hit the bar and that's what caused you to flip.

To panic stop,  simultaneously brace your arms, slide your weight back, and squeeze the brake hard. When you feel the rear wheel start to lift, ease the brake just a bit.

HTH

Answer 7

press only on the hind breaks....if u need to break really really badly, press both and swing ur bike's hindwheel to the side...or just lean back...this way u dont fall off, but ur balls may ache a little from the sudden impact of the seat on them!!!

Answer 8

In addition to the aready good advice given: lean back a little when panic braking.