bikeseattle.org

“The “fixie” (n): A fixed-gear, single-speed bike without a freewheel, used for racing at bike tracks known as velodromes. Also used by fearless bike messengers and, increasingly, dedicated commuters. The bikes may or may not include brakes and they come in a wide range of patinas: shiny Surly Steamrollers, for example, or weathered and mismatched because the bike was constructed from an old road bike and various swap-meet parts.”

Full story at Seattle-Times