On a fixed gear, you can't coast. If the bike is moving, your legs need to be moving. While you can't coast, you can use reverse pressure on the pedals (i.e. pedaling backwards) as a way to control your speed. Some people who ride fixed remove their brakes, relying solely on backwards pressure to control their stop.

A new rider/returning cyclist/hopping back on after a hiatus – Freewheel is the classic riding style. Get your bearings here, and then you can always switch to fixed whenever you're ready! Looking to ride long distance/do a lot of climbing – Freewheel really has advantages on longer rides and climbs.

A fixed/free hub is a key component of a fixed-gear bicycle, also known as a fixie. It is a type of rear hub that allows the rider to switch between a fixed gear and a freewheel, which allows coasting. The hub also allows for more efficient pedaling as the crankset and rear wheel are directly coupled.