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If you tasked someone with calling out the most thrilling, adrenaline-fueled sport, BMX would surely come up pretty quickly. With the sounds of riders whipping through the air and the feeling of riding freely along the tracks and soaring through the sky during airtime, it’s truly a one-of-a-kind, daring sport in contrast to popular sports like basketball and soccer—and one that has a community feel closely associated with it. People come together in venues and spaces to share their passion for BMX, hone their skills, and feel the natural energy of the sport.

BMX has come far since its grassroots days, now being recognized as an Olympic sport and giving way to BMX-themed video games (and even online slots like Bike Mania that you can find on casinos.com), merchandize, and an entire subculture around it. It’s effectively dominated urban culture and the sports world, producing a community and lifestyle that only continues to grow as time goes on.

The Roots of BMX

Unsurprisingly, BMX stemmed from bicycle racing. While biking was typically associated with smooth, high-speed races like the Tour de France or rocky trail mountain biking, the young riders who paved the way for BMX took inspiration from motocross racing. BMX was founded in the 1970s in southern California when children raced their bikes on dirt tracks to mimic the motocross stars of the time.

They used easy-to-handle bikes like wheelie bikes, whichwere perfect for performing stunts and riding on uneven terrain. Motocross was already popular before BMX came about, but the problem was that it was considered an inaccessible sport, considering you needed a motorcycle and space to race it. Younger fans wanted in on the action, so the next best thing was essentially “playing pretend” on their bicycles in available spaces like dirt tracks and vacant lots.It was an activity much like street hockey or flag football—a more accessible version that required less equipment. With youth culture hinging on word-of-mouth and what’s “cool” at the moment, plenty of people began taking part in the new sport.

How Pop Culture Brought BMX to Life
Then, American director Bruce Brown released the 1971 documentary film On Any Sunday, which focused on motorsport and its different forms. It quickly became the most beloved motorcycle documentary ever made, providing that flair and artistry that painted motorsport as a raw and thrilling activity—all while popularizing BMX in the country. BMX gained serious traction thereafter, and manufacturers finally began making bikes dedicated to the sport. As BMX started having the makings of an official sport, the National Bicycle League was born. Set up by George E. Esser and his wife, who had previously sanctioned races with the American Motocross Association, it was the first bicycle motocross sanctioning organization. With their son’s direct interest and lack of organized opportunities, they took matters into their own hands.

From that point onward, BMX was no longer an exclusively American phenomenon. In the early ‘80s, the UK experienced a BMX craze, during which every teenager wanted to get their hands on a BMX bike. But that craze quickly died down after those teens grew up and abandoned the hobby. Fortunately, the rest of the world picked it up, and now there are tracks all around the globe and international events that take place every year.|

The First Official BMX Races
While plenty of BMX tournaments were already held around the United States, BMX expanded internationally through the International BMX Federation. The first IBMXF World Championship was held in Dayton, Ohio, a city known for auto racing. Considering its need-for-speed past, it was a prime place to host the first world championships. To no one’s surprise, the United States took the crown. Yet later on, countries like Japan, the Netherlands, Chile, France, and Australia all had their glory days. This varied roster of winners went to show the global appeal of the sport, with countries on every continent showing great passion for the competition.

BMX Goes Mainstream
Although we can’t say BMX is nearly as popular as basketball (24.3 million registered players), 4.46 million people participate in BMX cycling in the United States alone. That’s more than hockey (2.5 million), which is unbelievable considering the popularity and prestige of the National Hockey League. And because BMX had grown so popular internationally, BMX Racing became a medal Olympic sport in the Summer Olympic Games and BMX Freestyle Park officially an Olympic sport at the Olympic Games in 2021.

In pop culture, BMX began to form connections with areas like music and fashion, where it became part of a broader subculture. Beyond the sport, it became associated with certain lifestyles, whether it was the rebellious nature of punk rock or the freedom of hip-hop. Music videos in the early ‘90s famously featured BMX riders performing stunts and tricks, further promoting its appeal. Those who participated in BMX often sported certain fashion elements, including baggy jeans, graphic tees with bold, colorful designs, and skate shoes. You could find BMX video games, movies exploring BMX culture, dedicated BMX stores, and events everywhere you looked.

Today, BMX continues to evolve. While there are still hallmarks of the culture, the scene has become much more diverse and inclusive, catering to all sorts of groups and styles.