Lem, in 20 years we'll see. And just for the record, my IRO is a single speed, I don't feel like rocking a fixie 90+ miles a week (maybe if I was younger I would, so I guess I'm on that fixie to comfort bike continum after all )

Lot, I have not been to China, but I have been to Europe, and I've been in areas like those pictures. In my experience, the people on those bikes tend to ride very slowly (and at least in Europe) in areas with more foot traffic than car traffic. The fact that they are wearing 100% street clothes including heavy coats suggests that they are not going far or concerned with getting somewhere in a timely manner (which would generate a lot of body heat and sweat in those clothes, even in cold weather). So, if you're riding a mile or two (typical in European situations), I can see how those bikes would work well. In spread out US cities (especially in the west) and rural areas, I just don't see that sort of bike being nearly as practical. I'd guess from my experience that the typical rider on those coblestones in Europe is doing 10 MPH, which would make my commute take almost an hour each way. That'd be a bitter pill to swallow.