BMX History

BMX Racing is now in the Olympic Games – imagine that. The NBL (National Bicycle League) and UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) have both made it their goal to get BMX included in the Games. Over the past 30 years, BMX Racing has proved its staying power and its inclusion as a full medal sport at the Olympic Games is a prime example of the sport’s international popularity.

To say that BMX has come a long way since the first dirt track in the early 70’s would be an understatement. The sport is now gaining mainstream momentum with a growing membership and the development of BMX Racing tracks across the country. There’s much more to tell but first a little piece of history.

George E. Esser founded the National Bicycle League as a non-profit bicycle motocross sanctioning organization in 1974. Prior to establishing the NBL, George and his wife, Mary, sanctioned motorcycle races with the AMA (American Motocross Association). Their two sons, Greg and Brian, raced motorbikes, but also enjoyed riding and racing BMX with their friends and it was their sons’ interest, and the fact that there were no BMX organizations in the East, that prompted George to start the NBL in Florida.

With the incorporation of the National Bicycle League as a non-profit organization, a board of directors and officers was appointed, and by-laws were established. The NBL was set up to belong to the membership and was ready to meet the growing demands of this exciting new sport.

As NBL membership expanded, race commissioners were appointed by state and in 1977, a national race series, dubbed the ‘War of the Stars’, was organized, offering 11 national races held in seven different states. In the same breath, the NBL developed a “National” team of individuals who traveled to all of the national events to run the races and help train new volunteers.

BMX TODAY, a monthly magazine promoting the National Bicycle League and its races, also took form in 1977. “BT” covered all National and Regional NBL events, schedules for NBL-affiliated tracks, members’ point standings, new BMX products and more. Today, the new NBL magazine, BMX Nation, gets all NBL members their BMX racing news fix with full-color glossy pages highlighting the best racers and events in the NBL Nation.

In February 1981, the National Bicycle League and the National Bicycle Motocross Association, one of the most respected sanctioning bodies in the sport, merged to create the first BMX governing body to span the continent. When the NBL agreed to take over all licensing and administration for the NBMXA, it became, in effect, the oldest sanctioning body in the sport of BMX.

On the Move – In 1983, the NBL office relocated to Flemington, New Jersey, with Bob Tedesco as president. One year later the NBL headquarters moved to a more central location in Dublin, Ohio and then to Hilliard, Ohio. Today, the NBL Headquarters sit across town in the quaint Columbus suburb of Gahanna situated amongst other businesses creating a unique synergy that has already enhanced the NBL member experience with new services.

In February 2011, the NBL merged with GSX (Global SX Events) and Elite Trax to bring the best BMX races to the world to professional riders. The NationsTour Series and UCI BMX Supercross World Cup give the NBL the best professional series in the world.

The NBL continues to develop the sport across the country building new tracks while providing valuable benefits to our growing membership of tracks and riders. Welcome to the NBL BMX Nation.

Be sure to check out ‘Joe Kid on a Stingray’ for a visual look at the history of BMX and Bruce Brown’s ‘On Any Sunday’ to see how things got started.