I think my reactions wont allow for avoiding anything so for now will stick to brakes which by the way on this bike being a cheapie are like squeezing marshmallows between your toes.
I too am the antithesis of cool hopefully wont discourage people from life seeing me on a Fixie.
i am also not going to mudguard it or anything like such , I laugh at the British weather

I think riding fixed will also wear out my tyres so need to keep costs down.

I have a 16t cog thats supposed to be ok for hills I think actually they are inclines rather than hills around here

My first impression riding http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dem4clpzNqk