Oh right, you live in relatively hipster-free zone (a small town).
Yes, it is. The lowest of the low hipster scum do this to "save weight". Such bikes have their wheels not freewheel (i.e. solid axles,) so the pedals, chain, and wheels are all directly connected with no mediation.
They "stop" by forcing the pedals backwards. This is NOT like coaster brakes - those awesome brakes on kids' bikes that let you do tremendous burnout skids - you actually have to fight the wheels forward momentum OR use your feet as brakes (aha, no really). In an emergency stop, this usually means your calves get get shredded or beaten and you get to take a spill anyway.
I think after enough self abuse for no good reason, the problem tends to self-correct. Actually, Darryl was doing this for a bit, but we all yelled at him for being a retard so he stopped (ahahaha, get it? He stopped! Ahahah!).
EDIT: Man, I just realized that Darryl was honestly a Hipster several years before it was ever cool. Ha!