Abstract: A manually propelled material handling vehicle comprising a vehicle frame, at least one wheel carried by and supporting the frame, and an elongate, rearwardly extending handle bar carried by the frame remote from the wheel and adapted to be gripped by an operator in propelling and guiding the vehicle. Brake means are provided and are responsive to operator resistance to the natural tendency of the vehicle to increase speed and move away from the operator on a decline for controlling the speed of the vehicle in such manner that the operator may maintain the vehicle under control at all times. The brake means comprises a brake operatively associated with the wheel for applying a braking force thereto and actuating means operatively associated with the handle bar. The actuating means is responsive to operator resistance to an increase of speed of the vehicle on a decline for controlling the application of braking force to the wheel.