Originally Posted by
flangehead
It's helpful, but as with many things Sheldon, it's not exactly correct either.
Braking with both ends is far more effective than using only the front, and the rear alone will stop a bicycle...I've had to do it when a front brake failed. Know how to use both brakes and adapt your braking to the surface condition. The only way to do this is practice. Braking only slows you down, but it's a vital bike handling skill.