I think it's because the a lot of the North American population sees bikes as a toy, or something you use as a form of transportation until you get your driver's license. Firstly, you're considered nuts to commute to work when you could drive, even if it's only a couple of miles. Secondly, you're even more nuts to ride a bike with no brakes and lacking the ability to coast when you're tired. Their last memory of riding a fixed bike was that riding the tricycle they got as a youngster, barrelling down the driveway at "breakneck" speed, not being able to control the pedals cuz their feet slipped off and crashing into the parked car on the other side of the street, resulting in a softball-sized lump on his forehead.

It's called Upgraditis...that's when a person needs to upgrade to the latest and greatest and new and improved whatever that they just have to have on their bike. Sometimes I feel like I'm coming down with upgraditis but a then my wife gives me a good dose of "yougottapaythebillsandmortgageandbuygroceriestofeedthekids" and that fights it off.