Abstract: A brake mechanism for a roller blade having at least a pair of in-line wheels each suspended via an axle from a pair of frame members disposed on opposite sides of the wheels, comprised of two pair of disk shaped bearing surfaces, each pair fixed to opposite sides of a corresponding wheel coaxial with its axle, a pair of brake pad supports, each on an opposite side of the wheels, each having opposite end regions overlapping the bearing surfaces on both wheels, brake pads retained by the brake pad supports between the end regions of the brake pad supports and the bearing surfaces, apparatus for resiliently retaining the brake pad supports in positions with the brake pads spaced from the bearing surfaces, remote control apparatus for squeezing the brake pad supports together whereby the brake pads bear against the bearing surfaces, increasing friction therebetween and retarding rotation of the wheels.