I still don't see how a push kick is any less effective. Actually, it'll buy you extra seconds to mount a better offense. And I'm not sure what other kind of front kick you could do, besides the snapping type your linked video showed, and a MT push kick. Feel free to describe somethign else but a kick is a kick, on the street or not.

I've not watched the linked video, but it sounds like you're all talking about front kick (of whatever variety!) to the body.
When kicking to the body in any scenario the considerations and out comes are very different to kicking to the head. I.e. You are less off balance; you are much more likely to land the kick; and you are less likely to stop your opponent with that single kick. Also as someone mentioned earlier you can use a body kick in sparring easily, perhaps a front kick to the head is less acceptable?
So perhaps posts could be more specific to front kick to the head.

Yeah we got to discussing the front kick in general because Matakiant brought up the effectiveness of different types of front kicks (aside from the target).

I wouldnt be afraid to try it. More often than not, an unexpected strike will land. Thats not to say that it wont fail you at some point but I dont necessarily think that is enough reason to rule it out. Many techniques fail and none are sure fire 100 percent attacks. As far as a kick goes, its fast. I can execute it as quickly as a roundhouse or perhaps faster. The risk of takedown is theree but only briefly and if its a takedown of the single leg variety you will find that your kicking leg is often high on the opponent, giving the opportunity to attempt the triangle.

Also, the ability to maintain forward montum in a fight is devestating to most opponents and the forward kick facilitates that momentum.