BMX (Bicycle MotoCross) has been around for many years and still keeps its enthusiasts crazy for that long. But some people are confused about what BMX really is. Is BMX a sport, a kind of bike, or a bike brand?
We will lead you to the right path if you are curious about this exciting game. Let’s follow our guide to discover some fun facts about BMX!
Yes. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognizes BMX as a sport.
Moreover, BMX riding fits the definition of sport published by Wikipedia, Dictionary.com, and the Cambridge Dictionary.
Now, we will explain the definition of sport and BMX first. Then, you can conclude if they are relevant by connecting the two.
What is a sport?
Sports is a physical activity or competitive game that aims to improve your physical skills. It also gives you and the spectators a fun time.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a sport is a game that requires skills and effort. Moreover, it comes with rules. Sometimes, participants can join it as a job.
The site also relates it to a cross-country (XC) course race.
What is BMX?
Dictionary.com considers BMX a bike for stunt performance and recreational riding.
On the other hand, Wikipedia claims that BMX is a sport where participants use BMX bikes for racing or performing.
So is BMX a sport?
After checking all the definitions, we can say that BMX is a sport because:
- It’s a fun activity for both participants and spectators.
- Riding BMX is challenging because riders must use their skills to overcome obstacles.
- This game is competitive.
- There are rules for BMX riding. For example, the bikes must have the standard load capacity to be able to work on the courses.
Is BMX A Dangerous Sport?
The answer is Yes. It’s a competitive race that has dangers. You have to ride your bike at high speeds on stunt surfaces, bringing many injury risks.
Speed
With no support on the bikes, riders travel at high speeds, turning their bodies into real shock absorbers. To prevent spinal fractures, body mobility is essential.
The sport involves more than merely throwing your bike into the air and pedaling. You must master the necessary skills to stay safe and win the game.
Risks
BMX riders engage in head-to-head competition. Whoever reaches the finish line first is the winner.
As a result, there is an intense atmosphere, and you must maintain balance. When you slip off the course, you risk getting injured.
Everything occurs too fast. What’s worse, dirt impairs sight and throws the balance off. However, the risk of getting hurt while participating in BMX decreases once you upgrade your skills.
Insanity
Racers show some kind of insanity. They are passionate about the stunts; sliding down a slope brings them an amazing feeling. Despite being aware of the danger, you still need to engage and be in the middle of it.
Many people who are hurt or even break some bones nevertheless wish to return. Racing’s excitement and satisfaction just draw people back to the course.
Different Kinds Of BMX
Freestyle and racing are the two primary categories of BMX, but we can split it into smaller categories, such as:
Street
Street BMX riding is about riding across obstacles. To be able to endure the shocks of a heavy landing, the bike must be both lightweight and sturdy.
Street BMX may have arched walls, lodges, poles, handrails, steps, and other barriers as obstacles. When navigating through them, you also perform tricks.
Park
We often see skateparks for skateboarding. Yet, BMX riders can also skatepark.
They may mix and adjust their style to handle the park’s characteristics, which can be concrete or wood.
Dirt
BMX Dirt riding includes a variety of routes and jumps, such as doubles, tabletops, berms, hips, and rollers.
When it comes to dirt jumps, one’s creativity and effort level are often the only limitations.
The lifespans of dirt jumps are short because riders make them on vacant properties.
However, some authorized trailheads and bike parks have sprouted to satisfy the riders’ enthusiasm.
Flatland
If you like to do twisting and balancing stunts on smooth, flat ground akin to asphalt, a flatland BMX bike will be the best option for you.
This riding style is difficult to handle. However, since you can combine the tricks, you will never get bored with them.
The most common tricks in this category include tailwhips, manuals, spins, barspins, and more.
This video shows how pros do their flatland tricks. Please check it out to get more motivation for your practice:
Racing
Riders start at the gate and compete to reach the finish line as fast as possible. The road they ride on has rollers, jumps, or berms, but they don’t perform any tricks here.
Racing is the most competitive type of BMX. Although there are competitions and rankings in freestyle, racing is unquestionably more concerned with rankings. Riders also have more pressure to get to the top.
Is There Any Tournament For BMX?
Yes. BMX is a famous sport. There are many competitions around the world for BMX fans to join and challenge themselves.
Scot Breithaupt organized the first BMX race in 1970. He was also the one that founded BUMS and designed the structure and rules for the races.
Once the sport became more popular, many organizations expanded the scale of the competition. Up to now, there have been many professional BMX tournaments. The most well-known ones are:
BMX World Championship
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world’s governing organization for cycling, annually hosts the BMX World Championship. There are four categories in the competition:
- Elite Men
- Elite Women
- Junior Men
- Junior Women
We had the first game of this championship in Ohio in 1982. FIAC, FICP, and UCI were the three international governing bodies, but UCI coordinated the FIAC and FICP in 1992. All previous world championships would be unofficial.
UCI is the organizer of big BMX games, including:
- UCI BMX World Championships
- UCI BMX Freestyle World Championship
- UCI BMX Supercross World Cup
- UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup
- UCI Pump Track World Championships
The X-Games
The X-Games were the biggest extreme sports competition ever, and ESPN organized and ran them in 1995.
Over the years, this event has covered many sports and disciplines, but its primary focus is freestyle BMX, motocross, and skateboarding.
Since the beginning of the game, vert, flatland, dirt, park, downhill, and “Big Air” have all seen BMX competition.
The speed competitors in Big Air achieve when they take the vert ramp helps them fly to an incredible height.
Thanks to this massive jump, they benefit from that valuable second in the air.
FISE
The Festival International des Sports Extremes (FISE) started in 1997, just a few years after the first X-Games competition. Extreme sports competitions are part of a worldwide series of events.
FISE takes place every year around the world. BMX flatland and park are two disciplines of the event.
Olympic Games
The Summer Olympics’ cycling category includes BMX cycling disciplines for both men and women. They introduced these racing events to the program in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Male and female BMX freestyle competitions debuted at the 2020 Summer Olympics. Throughout a 60-second run, the athletes showed their creativity and skills by navigating ramps and obstacles on a park course.
Is BMX Still Popular?
Yes. In the USA and across the world, BMX remains one of the most well-liked cycling disciplines.
Although the 1980s were clearly at their peak, it has succeeded in developing a culture that goes through years and generations.
Because it established its own path, BMX has become widely popular. Skateboarding and BMX have both become recognized sports.
BMX, on the other hand, has its sector and passionate membership of loyal riders.
The emergence of mountain bikes in the late 1980s, and early 1990s was another threat to BMX. Many riders decided to change perspectives and adopt new habits. But BMX did survive.
Conclusion
So it’s an intense, dangerous, and exciting sport.
Regardless of the type of BMX the riders opt for, they all must master the skills to satisfy themselves and serve others with their striking performances.
There are many professional competitions for the sport. Although the peak period has passed, its loyal fans are still there and support the game.
Hopefully, you will find this article helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. We are always eager to assist you.
Thank you for reading!
