EXTREME SPORTS LEARN TO RIDE

BMX
Bicycle motocross or BMX is the sport of racing bicycles in motocross The 1972 motorcycle racing do-
style on tracks which use an inline start and have obstacles, and also recumentary On Any Sunday is gefers
to the bicycle itself, which is designed for dirt and motocross nerally credited with inspiring the
cycling.BMX began in the early 1970s when children began racing their movement nationally in the Uni-
bicycles on dirt tracks in southern California, inspired by the motocross ted States; its opening scene
stars of the time. The size and availability of the Schwinn Sting-Ray and shows kids riding their Sting-Rays
other wheelie bikes made them the natural bike of choice for these off-road. By the middle of that de-
races, since they were easily customized for better handling and perforcade the sport achieved critical
mance. BMX racing was a phenomenon by the mid-1970s. Children were mass, and manufacturers began
racing standard road bikes off-road, around purpose-built tracks in Cali- creating bicycles designed espefornia.cially
for the sport.
George E. Esser founded the National
Bicycle League as a nonprofit
bicycle motocross
sanctioning organization in 1974.
Before they set up the NBL, Esser
and his wife, Mary, sanctioned
motorcycle races with the American
Motocross Association
(AMA). Their two sons, Greg and
Brian, raced motorcycles, but also
enjoyed riding and racing BMX
with their friends. It was their
sons’ interest, and the lack of
BMX organizations in the East,
which prompted Esser to start the
NBL in Florida.
15