Competitors and enthusiasts of the sport – use modified bicycles - BMX - to perform stunts or race over special tracks – it can be dangerous. Any sport with this much of a physical element to it carries pitfalls, but BMX biking is almost in a class of its own.
On top of that, imagine learning how to change your bike’s direction in midair, or flip over the bike itself. Add in the setting itself – often concrete, hard ground, railings, etc, – and it’s not hard to see how BMX riding, whether racing or freestyling carries an extra high risk of physical injury. And this isn’t just limited to what could go wrong, either – let’s face it, the human body isn’t naturally equipped to face the jerks and landings of BMX biking. Plus. the time spent learning freestyle tricks can lead to extreme muscle fatigue, sprains, and strains.
Here's where extra protection is needed.The most common places to develop injury are the head, hands and joints, so therefore the most common types of protection are helmets, gloves and joint pads or protectors.
Helmets - of course, your head needs the most protection, so it’s incredibly important to know what you’re looking for when you’re picking out a helmet. The basic function of BMX helmets is more or less the same as regular cycling helmets: keep the cyclist’s head safe without interfering with the rider's vision.
As bike technology developed, so did bike helmet technology, and ventilation became more important. BMX helmets are different to regular cycling helmets as they are designed to withstand multiple hits.Certain brands of BMX helmets have a shell that wraps around the sides of the head to protect the ears.
Gloves serve many purposes in cycling and BMX biking - to provide warmth and insulation in cold weather and to offer comfort from the bumps and stresses that occur. When you need to put your hands out to break a fall, this extra padding adds more protection for your hands.
Cycling gloves need to be as durable as possible. Most gloves are made of synthetic material, such as spandex.
The palms of the gloves need an extra layer of protection. This is usually a manmade fabric called Clarino,
which resembles natural leather. Occasionally, the fingertips of the gloves are molded for better traction.
Protecting your joints is vital to BMX safety. If you don’t stick your landing, or the bike tips, your joints, like knees or elbows are the first things to hit the ground hard.
Padding and protectors for the knees, shins, wrists, and ankles are recommended. Unlike helmets, these types of protectors are flexible and breathable.
Knee pads and ankle guards need to be flexible yet fit snugly to avoid chafing. Most are one-size- fits-all, and can even be worn under pants.
Shin pads focus on more padding than flexibility. Some have built-in knee and/or ankle pads, and are made of neoprene with thick foam inserts to absorb impact.
It’s no secret that BMX biking, freestyling or racing are rough sports that require appropriate protection. Durability,
flexibility and ventilation are all factors to consider when buying protective gear.
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