Sheldon Brown:

Some fixed-gear riders ride on the road without brakes. This is a bad idea. I know, I've tried it. If you do it, and have any sense of self-preservation at all, it will cause you to go much slower than you otherwise could, everytime you go through an intersection, or pass a driveway. The need for constant extra vigilance takes a great deal of the fun out of cycling.

I 100% agree. It creates vanity, and it isn't awareness, it's straight fear.

People always tell me to take off my brake, that it's a track bike. Since WHEN do I visit the velodrome? NEVER. So NO it is NOT a TRACK bike. It's a fixed wheel street bike.

My brake has saved me from having my face torn apart COUNTLESS times. You guys go ahead enjoying brakeless while I can enjoy this 35 degree hill with no worries.