Freestyle BMX

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Freestyle BMX is a form of bicycle motocross stunt riding performed on BMX bikes, classified as an extreme sport that evolved from BMX racing. It encompasses four main disciplines: street, park, trails, and flatland. The sport emerged in the 1970s, with early photographic documentation showing Devin and Todd Bank in 1974 riding on an eight-foot-tall skateboard ramp they built in West Los Angeles, California, marking the beginning of ramp riding. By 1975, kids were documented riding bikes in empty household swimming pools, and in 1976, riders began using concrete reservoir channels in Escondido, San Diego, as well as skateparks like Runway Skatepark in Carson and Carlsbad Skatepark in Carlsbad, California. Bob Haro and John Swanguen rode at Skateboard Heaven in San Diego in late 1976, later moving beyond skateparks to create tricks on flat streets. In 1977, Haro was hired at BMX Action magazine, where he befriended R.L. Osborn. By summer 1978, Southern California skateparks began reserving sessions exclusively for BMX bikes. Riders like Tinker Juarez innovated in vert bowls, while William "Crazy Lacy" Furmage developed freestyle at Paramount Skatepark. The first how-to article appeared in BMX Action in early 1979, featuring Haro performing a "rock walk." The American Freestyle Association, founded in 1982 by Bob Morales, became the sport’s first governing body. Freestylin magazine debuted in summer 1984, spurring manufacturers to develop dedicated freestyle bikes and components. The sport peaked in popularity from 1980 to 1987, then declined in the early 1990s, leading to rider-owned companies redefining the industry. Street riding, which rose to prominence in the late 1980s, uses urban obstacles like curbs, handrails, and stairs, with bikes featuring steeper angles and shorter wheelbases for maneuverability. The sport was first recognized by the Union Cycliste Internationale in 2016 and made its Olympic debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Reader's Guide

Freestyle BMX is a form of bicycle motocross stunt riding performed on BMX bikes, classified as an extreme sport that evolved from BMX racing. It encompasses four primary disciplines: street, park, trails, and flatland. The sport originated in the 1970s, with early documented activity in 1974 when riders built an eight-foot skateboard ramp in West Los Angeles, California, marking the beginning of ramp riding. By 1975, photographic evidence showed children riding BMX bikes in empty household swimming pools, and the following year, riders began using concrete reservoir channels in Escondido, San Diego, as well as skateparks in Carson and Carlsbad, California. In late 1976, riders at Skateboard Heaven in San Diego began adapting freestyle moves to flat streets. The first how-to article on freestyle tricks appeared in a BMX magazine in 1979. The American Freestyle Association, founded in 1982, became the sport’s first governing body. A dedicated freestyle magazine debuted in 1984, spurring manufacturers to produce specialized bikes and components. The sport peaked in popularity around 1987, then declined commercially in the early 1990s, leading to a resurgence driven by rider-owned companies. Street riding, which utilizes urban obstacles like curbs, stairs, and handrails, gained prominence in the late 1980s. Modern street bikes feature steeper angles and shorter wheelbases for maneuverability. The Union Cycliste Internationale recognized freestyle BMX in 2016, and it debuted at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Did You Know?

• GT signed freestyle BMX riders Bob Morales and Eddie Fiola in 1983 to design the Pro Performer, which had a unique bent down tube that became a trademark look for GT.
• Bob Morales left GT to focus on his own company DYNO Designs, which GT later bought in 1985.
• Eddie Fiola's contract with GT was not renewed in 1987.
• In 1997, GT had 16 freestyle/GT Bicycle Air Show performers on its teams.
• The current GT Freestyle Team roster includes 19 named riders.