Strap a Lid On When Riding BMX

Article by Alan Trotter









Recently BMX has been enjoying something of a renaissance, with social media sites such as YouTube playing a big part in introducing this style of riding to the youngsters of today. BMX has always been associated with alternative culture and street cred, so it’s no surprise that today’s youth are getting into it and adding a BMX bike to their wish list.

The majority of kids will probably want a BMX simply to ride around in their local area, however there will be a few who want to learn how to do some of the cool tricks and stunts that they see online.

Most basic BMX tricks can be pulled off with a little guidance and practice. A skate park is a good place to start off, as there will be instructors and other riders there who can offer advice and help kids to learn the essentials, while also keeping an eye on them.

In this scenario BMXing isn’t dangerous, although you can expect to fall off more than once when trying to nail a new trick. It’s for this reason that most reputable skate or BMX parks will not allow people to ride unless they’re wearing a helmet, plus other safety gear such as elbow and knee pads.

Some kids may think wearing a helmet isn’t cool, however it’s absolutely vital for them to wear one to protect their head when riding a BMX. One good way to persuade kids to ‘strap a lid on’ is to point out that all BMX pros wear helmets – kids will be much more willing to wear one if they see their idols doing the same.

BMX freestylers tend to prefer bowl-style skate helmets rather than the low-slung, streamlined ones you’ll see road cyclists using. This is because a bowl-style helmet will not restrict the rider’s view and movement as much, which is vital when landing a trick.

In the sport of BMX racing, the rules actually state that riders must wear full-face helmets, as well as gloves and full-length clothing to shield against painful falls and impacts. Riders are not allowed to participate in a race unless these minimum requirements are met.

Helmets, safety gear and BMX clothing are widely available from bike retailers and also online. Make sure you pop them in the basket at the same time as buying a BMX bike, and give your child the lowdown on why it is so important to wear them.



About the Author

If your child really wants to get into BMX, make sure they understand the importance of wearing a helmet, as well as the right safety gear and cycling clothing.