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In Los Angeles fixie culture has been taken up by the teenaged kids of immigrants, kids who used to ride skateboards a few years ago. At the same time bicycle theft has become epidemic. Sure they don't stop at stoplights, and might be ripping off our components. But isn't it still a good thing that teens think biking is cool? In the U.S. this is a potentially transformational development on our otherwise car-choked streets.
As for helmets, ha. Unfortunately any police enforcement of our under 18 helmet law comes across as racial harassment due to the ongoing problem of LA's overzealous and entitled police department.

On Tue, Jul 27, 2010 at 10:32 AM, Simon P J Batterbury <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Aren't fixies illegal in most countries because of the frequent lack of two brakes? They are in Oz. Technically.

Confession - I think they are unpleasant machines and wasteful of rear tyres.Using a salvaged frame is often set off with brand new alloy rims costing hundreds. Not in the conservationist spirit.

I also overtake their young riders all the time on an old bike with gears, and I'm in my late 40s, so I really don't see the point.

One gear, dangerous, and hard to stop.

It must be cultural.





--
Adonia E. Lugo
Graduate Student in Anthropology
University of California, Irvine