it's difficult. But it's really better now. And we have more spots to ride BMX. We have new concrete skateparks popping up everywhere and we have the "Palais de la Glisse", an indoor skatepark since 2010. And for street riding, Marseille is a big city, it's not Barcelona, but we've got a lot of spots and especially virgin of riding or unknown.Do you have a lot of new kids who want to ride BMX in the South of France?
Justin Fouque: Yes we have more and more, because of the many new good skateparks popping up all around of Marseille and in the south west too. The kids want to ride the parks just like they watched on TV or internet.
And we have the associations and club of race around that make a
good job, like Peynier in dirt and Les Pennes Mirabeaux in race and others. But nothing in Marseille right now, so let's do it. Hope they do not command a scooter at Christmas...You finished the paperwork that requiers someone to teach BMX to kids, what is the plan with that?
Justin Fouque: Yes, I'm happy about that, cause it was not easy to take it. Because the French Federation does not consider the freestyle part of BMX, they say it's not a sport... like cyclism..
and in France you need to have that shit for teach legally. My plan is to create an association with my friend Michael Zimbardo what's is being done and teach BMX to the kids and the parents will pay for that, and the kids will be ensured and supervised.
Do you think the kids can use some advise on how to ride, how to fix a bike, what to do, what not to do, etc.?Justin Fouque: I will teach to kids for the beginners how to ride like the basics tricks like bunny hop etc.. How to fix a bike, protection and helmet.
And for the kids more experimented and would like ride in them style, like trick machine, street riding, bowl riding or other, brake less or not..
i will advise them to make it on them good way with the right friendly spirit of BMX.
When you started riding, did you have someone to teach you how to learn tricks?
Justin Fouque: No and my parents were scrared when I took my bike, just me and my friends make some small dirt jumps and we recreated what we saw on video, with the video games and with the magazine too. Today it's easier with the help of the internet.
Do you think there are enough locations (spots) where young riders can go to to ride BMX?Justin Fouque: Today in the South of France yes. And in the future again more. I think that now it's time to give a supervision and a good spirit to ride BMX in a good atmosphere.
What can be done to make BMX more popular and grow BMX?
Justin Fouque: I think that for France we need to create an associations/clubs and organise some Jams and other Contests. After that we all come together and why not make a big community like a federation but not exactly the same, maybe more like the skateboard federation in France. And for sure a big Mediatization like showing BMX on TV.Last words?
Justin Fouque: Thank you Bart for this interview, and Thanks to all my sponsors that support me.
I wish a happy new year to everyone who reads this. To the riders who would like to come to Marseille, you are welcome! But come in summer, it's better. See you at the BMX Jam and Contests.
Ride in Peace.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.