Questions? Answers are here...
Couldn't find an answer? Feel free to drop us a line on our Contact page, or download this helpful PDF.
Couldn't find an answer? Feel free to drop us a line on our Contact page, or download this helpful PDF.
Who can join?
Anyone age 4* and up who can ride a two-wheel bike and wants to race and have fun! * Children must turn 4 by the end of December of the current year.
How do I get started?
Alberta BMX day is a great way to try BMX for free. Check out the page BMX Day for information. Or if you are ready to join, head on over to our membership information. There you can sign up to join Calgary BMX for the season. You will also need to purchase an ABA license.
What equipment do I need to start?
Basically you need a BMX bike that doesn't have kick stands or free style pegs. You will also need a full faced helmet, gloves and wear shoes, long pants and a long shirt. Due to COVID-19 Calgary BMX is not offering a free loaner bike program this season, but you can find great used equipment for sale on the BMX Buy and Sell Facebook Page.
What do I get for being a Calgary BMX Member?
With a membership you can join us for Tuesday or Thursday night coaching (depending on skill level) as well as our Monday night race team if you choose. You can also race on Wednesday nights. Most Saturdays are open track for riders to ride for fun. The season typically starts beginning of May and ends mid September.
Why do I need an ABA license as well as a Club membership?
An ABA license is required for any bike rider in Alberta of any bike discipline who joins an organization. This is for liability and all funds go to Alberta Bicycle. For more information, you can go to www.albertabicycle.ab.ca. A Calgary BMX membership is to join Calgary BMX and the membership fees go towards running our program on our BMX track.
How does beginner coaching work?
This coaching time is focused on riders that are new to the sport and typically are younger. Skills that will be worked on are how to start in the start gate, make it down the first straight, how to get through the rhythm section, etc. We have lots of coaches on the track to help our new kids.
The coaching night starts with a warm-up for the kids, and if you're volunteering you will find the volunteer coordinator for the night and they will help you get to your job. Make sure that your name is recorded to count your hours!
Depending on the number of kids, they will be split into different groups to work on different skill areas of the track.
There is occasionally time left over in the evening for the kids to have a few laps around the track at the end of the coaching session.
The coaching night starts with a warm-up for the kids, and if you're volunteering you will find the volunteer coordinator for the night and they will help you get to your job. Make sure that your name is recorded to count your hours!
Depending on the number of kids, they will be split into different groups to work on different skill areas of the track.
There is occasionally time left over in the evening for the kids to have a few laps around the track at the end of the coaching session.
What should I expect on race night?
Race nights are an opportunity for your rider to race kids their age, gender and rider class (novice, intermediate or expert).
You need to make sure you have registered all riders for the race night before noon on the day of the race. If you don't register before then the race won't count towards your standings with the track and Alberta BMX and you may not be included in the Moto's.
Registration opens 48hrs before race night and is through the Appointy system.
When you get to the track, you need to find the Moto's. This is the breakdown of all the races and who is in each race. There are 3 heats per race per night. The races are organized by skill and age level.
We have a few warm up laps before the start of the races.
Mark your races and starting positions with tape on your bike so you can reference back to it as the moto's go pretty quickly! We run 2 moto's then take a break before running the 3rd and final moto of the night.
Again, if you're volunteering, find the volunteer coordinator as soon as you arrive so you can be registered and assume your duties!
First time racers that are registered with Calgary BMX will receive a medal and be part of a Welcome Ceremony after their first race night!
You need to make sure you have registered all riders for the race night before noon on the day of the race. If you don't register before then the race won't count towards your standings with the track and Alberta BMX and you may not be included in the Moto's.
Registration opens 48hrs before race night and is through the Appointy system.
When you get to the track, you need to find the Moto's. This is the breakdown of all the races and who is in each race. There are 3 heats per race per night. The races are organized by skill and age level.
We have a few warm up laps before the start of the races.
Mark your races and starting positions with tape on your bike so you can reference back to it as the moto's go pretty quickly! We run 2 moto's then take a break before running the 3rd and final moto of the night.
Again, if you're volunteering, find the volunteer coordinator as soon as you arrive so you can be registered and assume your duties!
First time racers that are registered with Calgary BMX will receive a medal and be part of a Welcome Ceremony after their first race night!
What is Calgary BMX Race Team?
Our race team is an opportunity for any of the Calgary BMX riders to get an extra night of practice on Thursday nights. The requirements for being a part of the team is to attend 4 of the 8 provincials, attend the grands, purchase a race team jersey, come to race team practices and want to ride fast and have fun! There are no tryouts...everyone with a love for BMX racing gets on the team!
Do I need a membership to ride with my kids?
Anyone who rides on the Calgary BMX track during practices and race nights needs to have an ABA license and Calgary BMX Membership.
How old do my kids have to be?
Old enough to ride a pedal bike. Many of our riders start at 4 and 5. Children must turn 4 by the end of the current year.
Are strider bikes (pedaless) allowed?
Striders are future Racers!!
We invite Strider Riders during intermission on Wednesday Race Nights for our Strider Races. They do not need a license or membership, but bikes MUST be pedal-less and child must be wearing a helmet. Striders are only permitted on these nights or any other special events that we advertise.
We invite Strider Riders during intermission on Wednesday Race Nights for our Strider Races. They do not need a license or membership, but bikes MUST be pedal-less and child must be wearing a helmet. Striders are only permitted on these nights or any other special events that we advertise.
Do you teach kids how to do tricks?
We teach kids how to race on a BMX track. Coaching does involve learning how to jump, manual and learn other skills that relate to racing. Calgary BMX is a racing discipline of BMX, not a freestyle.
I want to join but money is tight. Can you help?
Calgary BMX has partnered up with Kidsport Calgary. Kidsport Calgary assists families to join sports because every kid should play. Although we no longer have a loaner bike program (due to COVID-19), you can find great used equipment for sale on the BMX Buy and Sell Facebook Page..
Can I reserve loaner bikes?
Yes, we do have a limited number of loaner bikes available on a first come, first serve basis.
You can find great used equipment for sale on the BMX Buy and Sell Facebook Page.
You can find great used equipment for sale on the BMX Buy and Sell Facebook Page.
What are provincials?
Provincials are a race series held throughout the province of Alberta. There are 8 races a season (one weekend is two race, Saturday and Sunday) and a championship race. You don't need to qualify, you just need to sign up, have a ABA racing license and go. Races are the same as district races in that riders race their same age, class and gender. For more information, go to www.albertabmx.com.