NBL History

BMX Racing in the USA — Bicycle Motocross

NBL HISTORY

BMX Racing in the 2008 Olympics – 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 will make its proud debut as a full medal sport at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China in July of 2008. A big day for everyone who has been involved with this exciting sport.

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” covers all national and regional NBL events, schedules for NBL-affiliated tracks, members’ point standings, new BMX products and more. Today, BMX TODAY is sent to over 30,000 members, bike shops, schools, libraries and companies around the world.

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 today the NBL is only miles away from Dublin in the cozy Columbus suburb of Hilliard, Ohio.
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In March 1997, the NBL became a member association of USA Cycling, Inc., America’s National Cycling Governing body, who in turn is connected to the UCI and ultimately, the Olympic Games. We are a proud partner with USAC in the quest to bring Olympic Glory to the sport of BMX in 2008.

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 National Bicycle League. Next Stop - 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China!