As you may be aware, there exists this sort of bicycle called a “fixie,” and these “fixies” are mainly employed by men in “torn Patti Smith t-shirts” and “sock garters” so that they may ride to “installations” in places like Williamsburg or Silver Lake. Like with some things (“Reflektor” is actually a really good song), but not others (Pabst Blue Ribbon is not actually a really good beer), the whole hipster thing, in this case, contains a kernel of truth: Fixies are fun. A fixie is essentially a track bike, so named because you are directly “fixed” to the rear wheel. Pedal forward, you go forward. Pedal backward, go backward. Try and coast? Crash horribly. It’s a very demanding type of bike to ride, and that’s how they earned their hipster wings. Think of it as the accordion of bikes. If you're up for the challenge, though, a fixie can teach you a lot about how to control a bike, how to develop a smooth pedaling motion and how to enjoy the bicycle in its most elemental form. If you’re in traffic, though, at least use a front brake. You’re good, but you’re not that good.