Higher pinions = safer MMM's? Or no? Someone's lying....

[RC-Monster Mike]

I think your push start analogy is not proper(you are mixing up the motor and the load here). The gear ratio does not reverse when braking - only the direction of the force reverses.
A better analogy or perhaps more clear idea of how this is working is using a 10 speed bike. If you had superior balance, you could roll the bike backwards in 10th gear and try to stop it by pedaling forward(this would simulate a large pinion or low reduction). Then try again with the bike in 1st gear(to simulate a small pinion). At a given vehicle speed, the pedals will be moving faster in 1st gear(voltage), but will require less torque(current) to stop the bike and vise versa. The mechanical advantage or gearing does not change or reverse - only the direction of the force. The mechanical advantage that exists on acceleration also exists on deceleration.

And while Patrick was responding to you...he happened to answer Freezebyte's question - the question was still answered, though. :)