BMX captures Devon’s attention from the moment he sees Jamal on his bike. Are you as intrigued as he was? To learn more, check out these quick facts about BMX.
BMX, which stands for “bicycle motocross,” is an extreme sport and form of cycling.
The sport of BMX was first created in Southern California in the 1970s by young riders who were inspired by motocross, an off-road form of motorcycling. It gained popularity in the United States and throughout the world from there.
A BMX bike has several unique features. It is much smaller than a typical road bike and has a strong frame with twenty-inch wheels and high handlebars.
BMX first made its debut as an Olympic sport in 2008 at the Beijing Olympic Games.
BMX can be divided into BMX racing or freestyle BMX. BMX racing involves off-road racing events, in which riders compete to finish a course in the fastest time. In freestyle BMX, riders perform complicated tricks as they move through an urban space, a BMX park, a vert ramp trails or flatland
BMX flatland and street tricks tend to require on-the-ground balance. Freestyle dirt BMX and vert-ramp riding have a lot more aerial tricks than the other disciplines.
Some famous BMX riders, considered legends in the sport, include Mat Hoffman, Dave Mirra, Ryan Nyquist, and Tinker Juarez.
Women’s BMX is also gaining traction thanks to talented female riders, including Nina Buitrago and Hannah Roberts.