Japan: Fixed gear crazy?

And yes, they can park their lovely special class of single speed bikes on a sign post. And ride them home at the end of the day.

They are single speed alright, but I have yet to see one person riding fixed. I have seen the purebreds parked outside shops with no brakes on, but not actually seen a person riding one.

All the minimalistic "fixed" geared bikes I see riding pass me at all flipflopped(Most fixed gear bikes come with flipflop hubs, google that!) to the normal tick tick tick ball bearings. Can't blame them though, I have rode fixed and its not easy stopping in a split second.

Have you rode fixed? You gotta try it one day!

In the mean time, Hiroshima is not exactly what you call "fixed" yet.