"Is dangerous cycling a problem" BBC

Sorry was there a reason this year old thread had to suddenly and inexplicably be revived?
Yes.
Generally I prefer fixed gears. Clutchless and brakeless can be interesting but definitely not for public roads.
Taking your foot off the accelerator is often a good idea. Diesels will give better engine braking if the fuel injectors cut out. Some big diesels have a button on the floor or under right heel to do this, some of them will block the exhaust at the same time.
None of this works in an automatic car or freewheel bike, that is probably why instructors teach nodders to rely only on the brakes.

If we're talking cars again, I used to teach people to use the brakes for slowing down, but from the very first lesson I made them aware of engine braking and how it is suitable to slow down somewhat by taking your foot off the gas (Americanism I know but try saying accelerator a thousand times a day) but not to go down through the gears to scrub off large amounts of speed. You only really need to do this when going down a big hill, or ragging it around country lanes.

Sorry was there a reason this year old thread had to suddenly and inexplicably be revived?

quote WW
"road rage/good/bad/cyclists/motorists/who really gives a flying fuck anyway thread?"

Brakes are cheaper than a new gearbox.

Use your brakes.

this is true, but I was taught to use gears and never replaced a gearbox(I think used properly gearboxes always outlive the rest of the vehicle

You were probably taught that on cars that had shit brakes.