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There is a 'freewheel' in the rear hub of the bicycle. When you pedal forward, the freewheel has teeth that engage the hub which makes the wheel turn forward.

The freewheel (hence its name) also lets the wheel turn freely forward. If it didn't, you would not be able to 'coast', but would have to keep pedaling all the time. This freewheel setup naturally results in your being able to pedal backwards without those teeth engaging anything.

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15y ago

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