Originally Posted by
yeahitsfine
i would think so, but i've found a number of inexpensive single-speeds (definitely not fixed gear) with no brakes! i was pretty surprised. i could be wrong, of course... i know little-to-nothing about road bikes.
What you must have seen were bikes with a coaster brake. You brake by applying backpedal pressure, so no brake lever is necessary. Though a front brake is highly recommended, you can find bikes with a coaster brake only, so they would not have any brake lever on the handlebar - hence they look as if they have no brakes.