The History of BMXing

Bicycle motorcrossing---commonly called BMXing--is considered one of the most popular extreme sports of the modern era, and it has grown from an obscure sport to a global phenomenon in just a few decades. BMXing has grown in popularity, branding and income potential for those involved. BMXing has continued to grow since its inception to a primetime event on major television networks.

  1. History

    • The sport of BMXing was created by the ingenuity and creativity of youth. A group of kids got together during the late 1960s and early 1970s and modified standard existing bicycles to replicate motorcycles and the newly popular motorcross vehicles, according to UCI BMX. California was the birthplace of this new activity, dubbed bicycle motocross and later shortened to BMX. BMXing came to the big screen in 1971 in a documentary by Bruce Brown called, "On Any Sunday." This film is now known as a catalyst for the ascent of BMXing.

    Timeline

    • The National Bicycle Association (NBA) was formed as the first" nationally sanctioned body" of the sport in 1973, according to Vintage BMX. The National Bicycle League (NBL) was formed the next year.

      Yamaha sponsored a BMX race to promote BMX bicycles in July 1974. The Yamaha Bicycle Gold Cup took place in Los Angeles in September of that year, according to Vintage BMX. The first "national" competition took place in Arizona in 1975, held by the NBA. The American Bicycle Association (ABA) was formed two years later in 1977, according to Vintage BMX's Mike Carruth. Carruth went on to note that, "ABA remains the Coke to NBLs Pepsi to this day."

    Media Popularity

    • A young Nicole Kidman appeared in 1983 in a small-budget BMX movie titled BMX Bandits. The film has since claimed a cult-like following. Another BMX-themed film, RAD, was released in 1986. This film was also noted for having actual BMXers involved. RAD has become a cult favorite within the BMX community, much like BMX Bbandits. Subsequent documentaries involving BMXing have since been made, including 2003's Nasty's World--a documentary about Cory "Nasty" Nastazio, a BMX champion.

    Competitions

    • BMX grew out of motorcycle racing imitation, but the sport has evolved into various divisions of competition. The X Games, put on by ESPN, is an annual extreme sports competition. It includes BMX contests such as racing, Vert (a halfpipe-based competition) and street (a street obstacle course competition), as well as Big Air and Best Trick.

    Global Recognition

    • The sport of BMXing received a huge honor in 2003 when the International Olympic Committee voted for the sport's inclusion in the Olympic Games. The 2008 Olympic Games only featured BMX in its original racing format, although jumps were included. There is also hope that the Olympic exposure of BMXing--dubbed "NASCAR on two wheels,"-- will draw more youth to the sport, allowing it to grow and flourish even further.