History of BMX Bicycles

The sport and hobby of BMX bicycling has come a long way in a relatively short time. In the early 1970s, BMX racing was simply the spontaneous invention of a group of young kids in a vacant parking lot, but its popularity would soon spread like wildfire. The adrenaline-driven and creative nature of the sport has captivated many children and adults alike, and as of 2008, there are more than 1,000 BMX bike tracks located all around the world.

  1. Creation

    • The history of BMX bicycles dates back to 1963, when the bicycle company Schwinn introduced a new model called the Sting-Ray, which was a smaller bike that allowed children to emulate their favorite motocross riders. In 1970, Scott Breithaupt---who is often credited as being the founder of the sport---organized the first BMX bike race in Southern California. One year later, a documentary entitled "On Any Given Sunday" was filmed in California, featuring kids riding bikes on hand-built dirt tracks. The video created a sudden burst of interest in the new sport; it was named Bicycle Motocross, and was soon shortened to BMX.

    Better Bikes

    • In the early days of the sport, Gary Turner began experimenting with different materials and welding techniques, in order to create bikes that could better endure the wear-and-tear of dirt tracks and jumps. He formed a partnership with Richard Long in 1975, and the pair began making and selling top-quality BMX bikes soon after. They formed a new company called GT Bicycles in 1979, and began to sponsor the best riders in the country. Another notable development during this time period was the formation of the American Bicycle Association (ABA), which became the sanctioning body for BMX races.

    Growing Popularity

    • The 1980's proved to be a time of exponential growth for the BMX sport and industry. The International BMX Federation was created in 1981, the first BMX World Championships were held in 1982 and BMX bikes benefited from media exposure in the movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. People began experimenting with new materials for frames and parts during this time, as well as innovative new geometries. Race track specifications were also created that would help launch the sport into its modern era.

    GT's Decline and Recovery

    • Richard Long, co-founder of GT Bicycles, was killed in a tragic motorcycle accident in 1994, and GT would ultimately experience a period of decline in the late 90s. By 2001, GT was committed to reclaiming their spot as a premier BMX bicycle brand, and they invested heavily in product innovation and marketing. They would eventually accomplish their goal, and as of 2008, they are again regarded as a superior manufacturer of BMX bikes.

    Olympics

    • The sport of BMX racing received a great honor in 2003, when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted to add BMX racing to the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. The competition included 32 male riders and 16 female riders. The racers competed in groups of eight, racing on dirt tracks covered in jumps, banked corners and obstacles. Maris Strombergs of Latvia won the men's gold medal, and Anne-Caroline Chausson of France won gold for the women.