I fourteenth the "your fixie SHOULD have a brake" mantra

because you start down from the top of 21st ST, in SF without a brake you get one of three things 1) a brand new rear tire with the threads now showing (in 15 spots!),.....2) a couple of broken ankles,.....3) your a hood ornament on a volvo GS or a suburban.

a brake will bring back your sanity not to mention you get to keep your skin on.