Don, Its got no brake levers on the bars so its very obviously a foot pedal operated brake. Wonderful machine but I bet it rides like a dog. Had the misfortune to ride an ex 1920's Peugeot Tour de France bike. Terrible ride my estimation of these Tour riders went up a 1000's fold after my experience. They must have been real stars to ride dogs like these. I was lucky I was on good tarmac how they coped with the road surfaces of the day god only knows especially in the mountains. Real giants of the road. Croeso Cymru Joe King Nr. Maenaddwyn Ynys Mon Wales