Snow-skis, ice-skates, and the better quality inline skates don’t have brakes because, as riders progress, they learn to control speed by using a slalom motion, T-stop or other technique. Similar techniques are possible on Chariot Skates.
Simple Hand Brakes (see “Stopping” Video): an effective way for beginners to stop or slow down on slopes is to squat down. This lowers your center of gravity, making you more stable. Then, with the use of gloves or specially designed wrist guards that we are developing, you grab each of the main wheels with your hands and apply the required pressure. It will take practice to develop your technique, and by applying more pressure to either one of the tyres you can control your direction. Advanced skaters may opt not to use this method just as advanced skiers never snow plow to stop, or advanced skates are not fitted with brakes. Nonetheless, it is a good technique to learn.
Advanced Mechanical Brake (see CAD animation in “Prototype trials December 2008” Video): We have experimented with a braking surface on the main wheel and brake calipers that are operated by cables to hand levers in the skater’s hands; the cables are secured out of the way under the skater's elbow pads and to the back of the pants or belt. However, there are a number of issues which have discouraged us from developing these brakes further at this stage: