tough call. i haven't had a need for elec start, and my regular mowers all having blade brake it's hard to go back.

Get the key start. That way you both can use it. Put the bag on, squeeze the handle, turn the key and mow.

The blade brake is convenient however with the elect start both can use the mower and restart is not much I a burden with the elect start in my opinion when bagging .

Ii just put a clamp on the handle so the mower doesn't die if a decide to pick up a stick that's in the way. I try not to let the government legislate how I run my mower.

Yeah believe for the op,s situation electric option overrides the BBC requirement , however RD ,s option could always be used conveniently also by a competent operator .

here's a option that hasn't been mentioned. it will be a little spendy but has everything required.

www.google.com/search?q=honda+Model+%23+HRX217HZA&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS792US793&oq=honda+Model+%23+HRX217HZA&aqs=chrome..69i57.34

I've never had electric start or blade brake. It shouldn't be a problem manually starting a mower in good condition and the blade brake is basically ridiculous. Who in their right mind would put their hand under a deck, take off the grass bag or change a mulch plug with the engine running, even if it has blade brake? You absolutely trust that contraption and bet your life and limb on it?

i can only speak for myself, but i have full confidence that when i release my blade control handle the blade HAS stopped, and under no circumstance will it start until i want it to. in a way, every time you walk out to the shed/garage and roll that mower out you're about to risk life and limb.

Nah , Sax the jest of 300 ' value within the BBC is not having to restart the mower when ever some debris or obstacle is in the path of the mower , requiring removal . It,s a nice option , but i would never trust it for the purposes you have mentioned lol.