BMX (an abbreviation for
bicycle motocross) is a form of off-road
cycling on bikes with 20 inch wheels and knobbly tyres. It originated in the
United States, where teenagers tried to imitate their motocross heroes on their pedal cycles. The sport features races on sandy and hilly tracks as well as performing tricks and stunts on flat ground, wooden ramps or obstacles found on the streets.
Since 1982, there have been World Championships for BMX-Racing, sanctioned by the International Cycling Union (UCI)and 1987 saw the first Freestyle World Championships. Freestyle, or Stunt Riding, has been growing in popularity since it became part of the ESPN X-Games in 1998.