Abstract: A foot lever having controlled flexibility which is formed from a yieldable material, which material incorporates internal structural elements to provide exceptional strength and controllable yielding in the vicinity of the connection of the foot lever with a shaft that is operated by the lever. The internal structural elements include an elongated structural element that allows limited bending or yielding of the yieldable material of the lever in the vicinity of the shaft connection thereof and directs any additional bending to occur toward the free extremity of the lever. Also included in the lever structure is means for vectoring impact forces to protect the lever and the lever shaft against damage in the event an object is struck by the lever as the lever controlled machine is moved.