The History of BMX

Posted by Jodi Gallegos Aug 4, 2006

Who could have known...? First, I owe an apology to Mark D. He was the first person I knew who made it to his teenage years and still rode a BMX bike. My little brother had one, but he was still in grade school so it seemed more forgivable at the time.

While my other friends were getting their drivers licenses, and cars, Mark continued to ride his purple Diamondback (did I not mention it was a purple BMX bike?-well, that's another rant!). For a while I assumed that he couldn't afford a car so I was more forgiving. Then I realized that he liked riding his bike everywhere and actually thought it was cool. I teased him relentlessly.

Looking back, and knowing what I know now, maybe Mark was headed for something big. I had no idea what BMX was about or how it had become so popular. I definitely didn't imagine it would be such an amazing opportunity for so many young riders. In addition to endorsements and advertisements, riders are getting paid television hosting jobs that keep them in the public spotlight. Both Dave Mirra and TJ Lavin have hosted on MTV, which also has skateboarder Bam Margera in its lineup.

While I was researching this week's article, BMX: The History of Bicycle Motocross, I thought a lot about Mark. He was into BMX at the perfect time, it was still a young sport and he was still young enough to have done it. I remember him hitting every little pile of dirt he could find. I think he would have been a dirt jumper.

The last I heard, Mark was changing oil at a quick lube place by the mall. It's probably too bad that someone (I'm not saying "me", just "someone") insinuated that he was going to have to grow up someday.

Luckily there are BMX riders out there who had more supportive friends. Even though those riders may not have been around at the beginning of BMX, they still have a chance to become part of BMX history.