George Esser

As the founder of the National Bicycle League for Bicycle Motocross (BMX) in 1974, George Esser was a true visionary in where BMX would go in the future.

He formed the NBL organization and based it on the government by the people, for the people. The result is a non-profit, membership-based organization with its officers elected by its members in a democracy. George wanted BMX to expand around the world so he invited Gerrit Does of Holland, Tadashi Inoue of Japan and Mr. Woods of England to join him in this quest and they together formed the very first International BMX Federation (IBMXF). Their vision was to have BMX follow this same format in every country around the world, for the people, by the people.

I vividly remember first meeting George and his wife Mary in 1976. I was in total awe of this amazing person who had such a passion for this sport called BMX. They worked in a small office in Pompano Beach, FL. He sat at his desk, cigar in his mouth, talking BMX when at that time, few people knew what he really meant.

It was not easy for George in the beginning. I remember how in those early years he had to borrow money every winter so that the NBL would survive. The NBL had less than a thousand members and everything done by hand on index cards. The rules were based on motorcycle racing but as we went along, BMX rules emerged. There were skeptics who thought the NBL would not make it, but with a great crew, help from volunteers in the field and on the NBL Board, the NBL started to grow south to north, east to west. His goal was now a reality and a success.

George Esser’s NBL foundation of a non-profit, membership based BMX format and its rules were shared to all and are still used by all countries around the world. Many organizations have copied the NBL format and rules that were developed and initiated by the NBL. George was also the first to develop a National Series program above the grassroots program — his famous War of the Stars Series. The NBL, along with the IBMXF held true World Championship events around the world with the BMX affiliated countries. This caught the attention of the Cycling Federation of the World, the UCI, which resulted in IBMXF merging with UCI. After many years of hard work promoting BMX, improving all programs, and developing new ones, BMX caught the attention of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and now BMX is an official Olympic sport and makes its debut in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing China.

We have come a long way from those early years in Pompano, FL with visionary George Esser. The impact he had on the start of BMX will live forever. On the 25-th anniversary of the NBL, George was honored at our Competition Congress and inducted into the NBL Hall of Fame. It was an emotional time for all of us. He was presented a huge oil painting of himself along with his wife Mary and sons Greg and Brian. The NBL continues to be recognized worldwide for its extraordinary leadership role, innovations and advancements for the sport of BMX. Thank you George for giving us NBL BMX. With fond memories, you will live in our hearts forever.