What is BMX Exactly?
BMX races are sprint-style bicycle races on a dirt and paved track. The bikes are designed small and fast; they are ridden standing up.
The track is 300 to 400 metres long and includes a starting hill with a gate, straights, at least three turns, various jumps and a finish line. Up to eight riders may compete at a time, in each qualifying race (moto). A race will have at least three motos. If there are more than eight riders in a race category, finalists will compete in semi-finals or finals to determine the finishing order. Race points are determined from the riders finishing position calculated over the various motos.
Riders are organized into separate male and female classes, and then subdivided by age group and skill level. All riders start as novice and work up to more advanced levels. At local races it is very common for the categories to be merged due to low participation.
The sport is most popular with children between 5-17 years however many adults participate and children may begin racing in Alberta at the age of 3 provided they turn 4 by December 31st of the given year.
BMX racing develops and rewards strength, quickness and bike handling technique. Everybody participates and no one sits on the bench.
BMX is short for Bicycle Motocross. It began in the 1970's and became an Olympic summer sport beginning in 2008.
Find out about getting started in the sport:
BMX races are sprint-style bicycle races on a dirt and paved track. The bikes are designed small and fast; they are ridden standing up.
The track is 300 to 400 metres long and includes a starting hill with a gate, straights, at least three turns, various jumps and a finish line. Up to eight riders may compete at a time, in each qualifying race (moto). A race will have at least three motos. If there are more than eight riders in a race category, finalists will compete in semi-finals or finals to determine the finishing order. Race points are determined from the riders finishing position calculated over the various motos.
Riders are organized into separate male and female classes, and then subdivided by age group and skill level. All riders start as novice and work up to more advanced levels. At local races it is very common for the categories to be merged due to low participation.
The sport is most popular with children between 5-17 years however many adults participate and children may begin racing in Alberta at the age of 3 provided they turn 4 by December 31st of the given year.
BMX racing develops and rewards strength, quickness and bike handling technique. Everybody participates and no one sits on the bench.
BMX is short for Bicycle Motocross. It began in the 1970's and became an Olympic summer sport beginning in 2008.
Find out about getting started in the sport:
Equipment
The following guidelines apply to the Calgary BMX Racing Club and are strictly enforced for the safety of all riders:
The following guidelines apply to the Calgary BMX Racing Club and are strictly enforced for the safety of all riders:
| calgary-bmx-equipment.pdf |
Terminology
If you're new to BMX and it sounds like everyone is speaking code, here is a guide to help:
If you're new to BMX and it sounds like everyone is speaking code, here is a guide to help:
| bmx_terminology.png |
Rules and Regulations
The sport is facilitated by a number of regional, national and international sanctioning bodies - Alberta BMX Association, Alberta Bicycle Association (ABA), Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) and the International Cycling Union (UCI). Working together, these associations provide rules for governing conduct, age group and skill-level classifications. They also maintain the points-accumulation system over each racing season.
If you didn’t find what you were looking for visit frequently asked questions or contact us.
The sport is facilitated by a number of regional, national and international sanctioning bodies - Alberta BMX Association, Alberta Bicycle Association (ABA), Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) and the International Cycling Union (UCI). Working together, these associations provide rules for governing conduct, age group and skill-level classifications. They also maintain the points-accumulation system over each racing season.
- UCI Cycling Regulations - Part 6 BMX
- CAA Licensing Rules and Regulations
- www.albertabicycle.ab.ca/bmx
- www.albertabmx.com
If you didn’t find what you were looking for visit frequently asked questions or contact us.