Do people really ride track bikes on the street?

Question

I heard it was some sort of fad to ride track backs on the street these days. Do people actually do this? I have seen enough keirin accidents to know why this a bad idea.

Answer 1

Yes, some people do ride track bikes on the street, but most of these bikes are fixed gear road bikes.
They are similar in that both lack the ability to coast, but track bikes are built for the velodrome, not the streets.

Answer 2

Sure, some do. I wouldn't ride on the average road with a fixie and no brakes but I'm looking to put one together with a flip-flop hub and intend to ride it out at the park. I'll have a brake for the free wheel (flop) side. I ride my road bike now in one gear maybe ten times a year just for fun.

Answer 3

yes, i've been doing it for years now, even here in Seattle with all the hills.. you just have to push a bit harder.

(btw i do have a front brake, but i rarely use it)

in fact i even rode the 2005 Seattle-to-Portland (206-miles in two days) on a Bianchi Pista.

there's nothing about a track bike that makes it unsafe for the street, unless you don't know how to control it.

Answer 4

I have seen it. Never understood it, but have seen it.