BMX Biking: An Extreme Cycling Sport

BMX, or Bicycle Motocross, is an extreme form of cycling in which riders race on difficult, obstacle-ridden courses. As the sport has gained popularity through the years, many variations of BMX have come onto the scene.
 

A Brief History of BMX Biking

The origin of BMX biking, like many sports, is a little unclear: No one knows for sure who invented BMX or where it was first practiced. However, many people agree that BMX biking began in California during the 1970s with the debut of "On Any Sunday," a film about motocross racing. The opening sequence of this film featured kids on their Schwinn bikes traveling off-road.
 
After a short-lived peak in the United States, BMX biking became a fad in Canada. While BMX had its own appeal in small circles, its popularity exploded with the rise of Extreme Sports and ESPN's X-Games during the mid-1990s. At that time, BMX racing became more refined, as courses were groomed and started including ramps and street obstacles.
 
BMX competitions come in two forms:
  • freestyling (five different aspects)
  • racing.

Freestyle BMX Competitions

Riders who compete in freestyle BMX competitions win by performing difficult stunts and tricks on various courses. Types of freestyle BMX riding include:
  • dirt jumping: This freestyle trick consists of clearing two or more giant dirt jumps. Riders do as many tricks as possible (such as letting go of the bike handlebars or flipping upside down) while flying over these dirt jumps.
  • flatland: This type of freestyle involves performing BMX tricks on a flat piece of hard ground, such as a parking lot or tennis court. Many of the flatland bikes have four fat pegs for easier action.
  • ramp and park riding: This form of BMX refers to riding and doing tricks in skate parks or on skateboard half pipes. Many of those who both skateboard and ride BMX prefer this type of freestyle BMX riding.
  • street: Because urban streets have a bunch of natural obstacles, they are a prime choice for some BMX riders. Banisters, picnic tables, benches and parking meters are targets for performing tricks in street BMX riding.
  • trail riding: This type of BMX occurs in the woods. BMX trail riding is more of hobby than a competition.

BMX Racing Competitions

Like motorized bike racing, BMX racing pits eight or less riders against each other on a specially designed dirt track. These tracks are laden with obstacles, including jumps and banked corners. In a typical BMX race, riders race three motos, or heats, per event. Those who qualify move on to race more motos to compete to win the main event.
 
For several years, spectators complained that the BMX biking courses were too easy, that they were missing the huge jumps and other thrills that made BMX biking popular. Due to this criticism, recently, competition hosts have built courses with 40-foot jumps. However, because of the budget required to make and maintain them, these courses are rare.
 
To race BMX bikes, the following is required:
  • 20-inch wheels
  • back brakes
  • low frame
  • pads on the top tube of the frame, stem and handlebar crossbar.

BMX bikes cannot have:

  • chain guards
  • freestyle pegs
  • kickstands
  • protruding reflectors or metal objects.

Riding BMX Bikes

The type of BMX bike you purchase will depend on the form of BMX cycling you prefer to practice. For example, a BMX racing bike will be different and highly more refined than a freestyle BMX bike.
 
BMX bikes differ from mountain bikes and land cruisers because they have only one gear, are extremely light in weight and have high-tread, wide tires. While the first BMX bikes couldn't withstand much of the damage they endured, today's manufacturers are making these bikes more durable.
 
There are three basic types of BMX bikes:
  • Dirt/ramp/street bikes are medium in length, very strong and fairly heavy.
  • Flatland bikes are very light and short, making them ideal for spinning tricks.
  • Race bikes are long and very light for speed and easy handling.

The Future of BMX Biking

All forms of BMX cycling now get a lot of attention thanks to ESPN's televised X-Games. The National Bicycle League hopes to get BMX Biking into the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing.
 
Resources
 
Action BMX (n.d.). What is BMX? Retrieved December 10, 2006, from the Action BMX Web site.
 
BBC (2006). BMX Riding Explained. Retrieved December 10, 2006, from the BBC Sport Cycling Web site.
 
Geocities (2006). BMX. Retrieved December 10, 2006, from Adrenaline Sports Web site.
 
National Bicycle League (2006). NBL History. Retrieved December 10, 2006, from the National Bicycle League Web site.