PDQ Mobile wrote:The point you raised from the Vienna Convention states the brake must be efficient.
It is my contention that a rear brake is not efficient (travelling in a forwards direction!!)
I'm pretty sure that case law is not on your side, nor does it match my experience but we probably have different definitions of efficient.
PDQ Mobile wrote:I am not saying or suggesting that all bikes need super modern discs. That's 2+2=6.
I know but it's a logical conclusion of your position of saying some brakes which stop bikes aren't good enough based apparently on your opinion rather than some definitive standard, such as not acting on a pneumatic tyre and being able to lock the wheel. While you might be happy with two brakes rated 2 out of 5, if such thinking becomes widespread then a legislator might get away with a very similar argument for two 4-out-of-5 brakes.
PDQ Mobile wrote:I possess no bike with discs.(( Idon't particularly like them, I find them too hi tech (see other threads) but each to their own.))
But I ride a bike with decent brakes and I maintain them so they work well.
And my healthy life and others healthy lives depend on them at times.
So why aren't Dutch streets lined with corpses? I think the main bit of the above that I agree with is "each to their own"!
PDQ Mobile wrote:I agree with Chris Juden as quoted earlier that a front brake is essential.
Just that.
I usually agree with CJ of this parish but I feel he's limited by his British perspective on this topic.
PDQ Mobile wrote:Can't see a problem with it really?
The sad case that this thread concerns seems to bear that out.
Had the guy had a decent simple front brake then it is very possible that he could have reduced the energy of the impact considerably in a very short time. And the consequences would have been less severe.
All in my very humble opinion.
Anything's possible, but I don't think it would have because, as the judge said to him, "you weren’t even trying to slow or stop. You expected her to get out of your way. Thus I make it clear that it was not merely the absence of a front brake but your whole manner of riding that caused this accident."