It does have brakes. First I can break using my feet (which is what I usually do) and I also have a front wheel brake. I actually feel way more in control because when I go downhill on a regular bike, i can only brake using the hand brakes. This one time I was on a really old bike and the brakes worked fine but then it started raining... Brakes went to shit and I was going downhill hoping the light will stay green. My fault for riding an old bike but I wish i had a fixie at that moment.

I also feel the reaction time is faster. I can speed up/ slow down faster. And I'm more mindful of my surroundings. Since braking takes a lot more effort, I slow down more gradually when I see a red light ahead of me and things like that. It takes some getting used to but I like it more than regular biking. My bike is also way lighter, easier to fix and more exercise since you pedal constantly.

I don't really care what color but black would be nice. I did a quick paint job last summer with white spray paint and it's really starting to look like shit. I'm hoping to repaint it more "properly" this time.