BMX (bicycle motocross) originated in the state of California, USA in the early 1970s and was introduced to Europe around 1978.
Since the early 1980s BMX has grown massively and is now distinguished by five main styles which are dirt, flatland, park, street and vert.
Don’t think you’re too cool for pads and a helmet because, if you slam hard, A&E are going to have real trouble separating you from your bike!
Dirt:
Dirt or BMX racing involves racing round a track at high speeds against other competitors. There are loads of tracks all over the place. Just find your nearest and get started but, for those of you who really hate life, dirt jumping has really taken off over the past decade.
Dirt jumping is proper bone crushing mayhem. Find a dirt track or woodland opening, build some big ass dirt jumps with your mates and learn to fly - big air big tricks and big pain.
This type of bike is made up of a lightweight frame and parts with knobbly tyres for grip and just one strong rear brake.
Flatland:
Flatland is a great test of skill and balance. Take 1 BMX, 1 piece of flat land and now jump, twist, spin, tailwhip and much much more all on one wheel and you’re riding flatland.
This type of bike has very sturdy and ultra-beefy frame with less tread on the tyres. Also has cable-detangling headsets and stunt pegs.
Park:
Total freestyle using techniques from all styles of BMX and putting them all in one place. Just find your nearest skate/BMX park and off you go but, don’t be a fool, watch and learn for a bit before you drop in and eat it big time.
This type of bike is the same as the flatland bike.
Street:
Street BMX is exactly that; freestyle on the street and in the towns and cities where we all live.
It’s all about using the objects that normal folk take for granted like a park bench, hand rail, big ledge or a nice flat bank. Use what you can and have fun.
This type of bike is the same as the flatland and park bike.
Vert:
Drop in and pull off some big air mad tricks and flips and some killer grinds… Yeah, right! Learn to ride, if not all, then most of the other styles first. Probably one of the best places to start is at your local park or mini ramp. Master this before you go anywhere near that monster.
This type of bike is the same as the flatland, park and street bikes but with a lightweight frame.
BMX - The cost depends on the type of bike that you want. So decide want you want to do with the bike and then check out www.evanscycles.com, the largest bike stockist in the UK.
Helmet - Starting at around the £25 mark.
Body Armour - Again, work out what you are going to be doing on the bike. If you are going to be crazy on it, spend the money on the whole kit of body armour at around the £100 mark. If you are going to be a bit more mellow, you can buy the pads separately so buy what you need.
