How do bike brakes work and what is the mechanism behind their functionality?

Bike brakes work by using friction to slow down or stop the bike's wheels. When the brake lever is squeezed, it pulls a cable that activates the brake mechanism. This mechanism can be either a caliper brake, which squeezes the wheel rim, or a disc brake, which clamps down on a rotor attached to the wheel hub. The friction between the brake pads and the wheel surface creates resistance, slowing down the bike.