Things People Do on BMX Bikes

BMX bike riding originated in California in the 1960's and was popularized by people like Steve McQueen. The bikes were very popular during the 1970's and 1980's because they were sturdy and you could ride them off road without bending a wheel or breaking a chain. Since then, BMX bike riding has developed into an extreme sport with several different applications

Motocross X, or BMX Motocross is racing. The course is dirt (or mud) and has hills and jumps. Riders are judged on speed and technical skill as they perform tricks off of the jumps.

Street Riding is freestyle BMX bike riding in an urban environment, using that environment - walls, stairs, building, rails or whatever else is there--for tricks and stunts.

Park Riding can be done in a skate park, with quarter pipe and half pipe turns, ramps and jumps. Kids often create their own parksby making ramps and jumps out of available scrap.

Flatland BMX Riding is an urban style using only flat, smooth surfaces like parking lots. Flatland stunts are different than other types of BMX bike stunts in that there are no jumps; rather, flatland focuses on forcing the bike and rider into unusual and gravity-defying positions.

You may buy your kids BMX bikes thinking that they can ride it on dirt trails, but don't be surprised if you find them building ramps and jumps, trying to spin the bike on its back wheel or riding it down your porch rail. BMX bikes have too much fun potential to just ride them.