A short history of BMX racing and freestyle. From motocross-inspired dirt racing to big tricks on the vert. How BMX evolved and found its place among extreme sports.
In 1971 the motocross documentary, On Any Sunday opened. The opening scenes captured kids on their bicycles, riding hand-made dirt tracks and imitating motocross riders. These kids weren't just "pretending". They had pie-plate numbers attached to their bikes and handled their Schwinn Sting-Rays as if they were Steve McQueen himself. Suddenly, there was recognition for a new sport that was spreading across the US.
First, there was the Sting-Ray...Although bicycles had been around for a century already, they were predominantly used as a means of transportation. With little exception the bicycles being manufactured were of identical designs and intended purpose. In 1963, Schwinn released the Sting-Ray to tap into the growing interest in customized motorbikes and muscle cars. Adults thought the bikes were ugly but the kids loved them and Schwinn sold over 40,000 Sting-Rays in 1963 alone. Within five years, 70% of all bikes sold in the U.S. were Sting-Rays or copies of them.
It is commonly accepted that BMX (bicycle motocross) began with kids in California. For kids who had the desire to participate in motocross but not the means, BMX offered similar action at low cost. Riders dressed in full motocross gear and hit the dirt courses they had groomed themselves. In 1971, Scot Breithaupt, credited as the founder of BMX, organized the first BMX race. The first pro race debuted four years later and manufacturers were producing bikes with 20" wheels specifically for this growing sport.
BMX grows and evolves... BMX shot into popular culture in 1982 with the release of E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial which showed young characters riding BMX bikes. As the popularity of BMX grew, riders were consistently testing the limits of their bikes. BMX wasn't just about racing anymore. Riders began to merge skateboard park riding with more elaborate tricks and soon freestyle was as popular as racing. The BMX movement continued to grow throughout the 80's, experiencing the same peaks and dips in popularity that occurred in the 70's.
And when the rest of the world goes extreme... In the 1990's the world went extreme. Suddenly every where you looked people were testing the limits of adventure, society, physics and themselves. Extreme sports became recognized as legitimate pursuits and ESPN recognized the potential.
In 1995, ESPN hosted the first Extreme Games (became the X Games in 1996) in Rhode Island. The X Games provided an Olympic-like forum for a new generation of athletes and greater exposure for BMX. Opportunities opened up for BMX riders that they couldn't have previously imagined. Being a BMX rider became a legitimate career for many opening the door for lucrative endorsement and television deals.
Today, BMX racing and freestyle remains a popular pursuit. In addition to the thrill, the opportunity, and possibility-- kids still just love to ride.
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