Following on from Hilary's comments and positioning of brake routing. His thinking is correct although I would like to add another theory.
I always understood the reason was due to the UK cyclists riding on the left hand side of the road. The idea being when making a turning signal with the right hand your left hand is free to operate the rear brake thus making it more safe controlled manoeuvre on a busy road. When riding a fixed wheel and then having front brake on the left hand side it still gave the right hand freedom to signal with!
Doug Smith North Dorset UK
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