[dkarl]

There's a flat part right by the tire where the brakes contact the rim, but there's also a partially sideways-facing surface as the rim curves around to the other side. You can put tape on that surface without affecting the brakes.

[freiheit]

That's generally only true on road bikes made for going fast. The rims are deep like that for aerodynamics. Cruisers (like shown in the videos), hybrids and most other transportation bikes tend not to have those deep rims.