BMX Techniques

BMX started in the 1970s and came from children racing bikes on dirt tracks. BMX is to bike racing what motocross is to motorcycle racing. Riders often race over hills that require them to jump and land often, while avoiding crashing into other racers. Riders rely on various techniques when beating other riders to the finish line.

  1. Jumps

    • Jumps are a major part of racing, since tracks are less flat than they were in the past. Riders should know where they want to land when they hit a jump, so they can try to aim in that direction.

    Braking

    • Brakes are usually located on the right-hand side of the bike, so the rider should identify the brake location and learn how to brake safely. Brakes allow riders to control their bikes more easily. Riders can brake with more control when they apply the brake using one or two fingers, brake in a straight line and bend their arms slightly while braking. Riders should slow the bike gradually rather than stopping abruptly. While braking, the rider should shift weight to the back of the bike.

    Awareness

    • Riders should be aware of other riders, both for safety and strategy purposes. Riders should look over their shoulders often to see where other riders are. Riders should not try to pass each other unless they have enough space. They should learn to use their peripheral vision to notice other riders and pay attention to sounds that help them show where the other riders are. Riders should try to block other riders by positioning their bikes in front of them, but should not be so aggressive they ram into each other.

    Inspecting Track

    • When a BMX rider arrives at a track she has never ridden on before, she should watch local riders -- riders who live in the area and frequent the track -- to see how they handle jumps. Riders should practice a couple times on the track, so they know where it leads. Riders should also practice on a variety of tracks, so they are ready for the challenges of any track.

    Pedals

    • The sooner the rider starts pedaling after the gate drops, the more of a lead the rider will have. Riders should practice starting as soon as the gate drops. Pedaling motions should be automatic, with no thinking involved. Instead of pedaling furiously, riders should focus on pedaling smoothly. Those who pedal smoothly can conserve energy and pay more attention to what is going on in front of them, since riders sometimes crash, and other riders behind them typically need to maneuver around the crashed riders. Riders should try to balance themselves at the gate with both feet on the pedals, so they can pedal with both feet as soon as the gate drops.