BMX facts for kids
BMX stands for bicycle motocross or bike motocross. It's a cool cycle sport where riders use special BMX bikes. You can do BMX as a competitive sport, like BMX racing or freestyle BMX. Or, you can just ride for fun on streets or off-road trails.
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Discovering BMX: A Brief History
BMX started in the early 1970s in the United States. Kids in southern California loved watching motocross races. They wanted to try it too, but with their bicycles! So, they began racing their bikes on dirt tracks.
The Schwinn Sting-Ray was a popular bike then. It was easy to change for better handling. This made it a top choice for these early races. By the mid-1970s, BMX racing was a huge hit.
A movie called On Any Sunday (1971) helped BMX become even more popular. It showed kids riding their Sting-Rays off-road. Soon, bike makers started creating bikes just for BMX.
BMX in the United States
In 1974, George E. Esser started the National Bicycle League (NBL). This group helped organize BMX races. Esser's sons loved BMX, and there were no groups for it in the East. So, he began the NBL in Florida.
By 1977, the American Bicycle Association (ABA) was formed. It became another big group for the sport.
Today, Freestyle BMX is a major event at the annual Summer X Games. It's also part of the Etnies Backyard Jam. BMX is popular because it's easy to get into. Plus, there are many places to ride and practice tricks.
BMX Takes Off in the UK
In the UK, BMX became super popular in the early 1980s. Everyone wanted a BMX bike, especially in 1982 and 1983. The movie BMX Bandits (1983) helped the sport grow worldwide.
Before this, BMX was a small hobby. But then it exploded! It became the main type of bike for young riders. Even older teenagers and adults became famous through magazines like BMX Bi-Weekly. Big names included Tim March and Andy Ruffell.
Around 1985, freestyle riding became more popular than racing. Bikes changed from chrome frames to bright, single colors. Even the wheels and tires matched!
The popularity of BMX in Britain grew fast, but it also slowed down quickly. By 1986–1987, fewer BMX bikes were sold. The new mountain bike became the most popular adult bicycle instead.
The first BMX track in the UK was built in 1980. It was in Landseer Park, Ipswich. The Ipswich BMX Club still uses it for coaching and races.
BMX Around the World
In April 1981, the International BMX Federation was created. The first world championships were held in 1982. Since 1993, BMX has been part of the Union Cycliste Internationale, which manages many cycling sports.
In 2003, the International Olympic Committee made BMX an official Olympic sport. It was first featured at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Māris Štrombergs from Latvia won the first men's gold medal. Anne-Caroline Chausson from France won the first women's gold.
Many talented BMX riders go on to other cycling sports. For example, Australian Olympian Jared Graves and Eric Carter started in BMX. Even Olympic champion track sprinter Chris Hoy began his career as a BMX rider.
See also
- BMX bike
- BMX racing
- Dirt jumping
- Freestyle BMX
- Glossary of cycling
- List of BMX bicycle manufacturers
- Pump track
In Spanish: Ciclismo BMX para niños
