A coaster brake is a type of brake that is activated by pedaling backward. It is also known as a backpedal brake and is located on the inside of the rear wheel hub. The harder you pedal backward, the stronger the brake will be. Coaster brakes are commonly found on single-gear bikes, kids bikes, and cruiser bikes. They tend to have fewer parts, which makes them less expensive, and braking isnt affected by wet weather. Coaster brakes are rear brakes only, so bikes with these types of brakes do not have regular hand-activated brakes. Some kids and adults may find coaster brakes more intuitive than regular brakes, but they can feel a bit awkward when switching from acceleration to braking.

Coaster brakes are required by law on bikes with a maximum seat height of 25" or less. Bikes with a freewheel and a maximum seat height less than 25" are against the law and subject to recall. It is possible to modify a small bike with a coaster brake to change it into a freewheel bike, but this adds cost because a completely different wheel needs to be purchased and installed.

In summary, a coaster brake is a type of brake that is activated by pedaling backward and is located on the inside of the rear wheel hub. It is commonly found on single-gear bikes, kids bikes, and cruiser bikes. Coaster brakes are rear brakes only, and some people may find them more intuitive than regular brakes. They tend to have fewer parts, which makes them less expensive, and braking isnt affected by wet weather.