Riding a BMX bike is fun for people of all ages, and most kids want to do it since the first time they see a BMX bike. But riding a BMX isn’t only about fun and excitement, it’s also about commitment, creativity, learning new skills, the development of motor skills, responsibility and so much more. Like any other activity that involves movements of the whole body, BMX riding offers many benefits both for the physical and for the mental health of the rider.
How Kids Benefit from Riding a BMX Bike?
If you’re a parent in the era of computer and smartphone screens, you know how hard it can be to get your child to spend some time outdoors and engage in physical activity. .Many kids will stick with sports like BMX, skateboarding or rollerblading or inline roller skating because they can easily fall in love with the thrills these activities offer. When it comes to BMX in particular, these bikes look much cooler than the regular bikes to kids. However, one of the reasons that BMX is so popular amongst children, and why they don’t give it up easily is that it makes them challenge themselves and they stick with it, keep trying to learn more and striving to get better.
Even though parents often worry about how safe BMX bikes are, there are many reasons why you should allow your child to get into this wonderful sport. Because it can be quite hard to master, especially if your child wants to learn how to do some tricks with their BMX, this sport also teaches kids perseverance, discipline and determination.
Because of this, kids riding BMX bikes learn how to stay focused and not to quit, even when it gets really tough. They learn how to deal with failing, they learn that they need to get up and try again until they succeed. They learn to be happy with small victories and achievements and to appreciate all the steps of the process. Moreover, BMX teaches kids that to succeed they need to work hard, it teaches them patience and how to get over a disappointment. It can also lead to important connections, new interests, important friendships, discovering new talents etc.
Once you’ve realised all the benefits children can get from engaging in this activity, you should know how to pick the right one. On the market, you’ll find 14 inch BMX bikes and over, so there’s a huge variety to choose from. After you found the appropriate bike, you should learn about all the safety gear you can get to make sure your child is protected from possible injures.
Choosing the Right Bike
Without a doubt, the thing that will keep them protected the most is the BMX bike itself. Because when it comes to BMX riding, finding the appropriate bike is vital. Regardless of their age and their skill level, a BMX rider needs to be able to rely on their bike. For this, you need to find a BMX that’s suitable for your kid’s age and size. BMX bikes can come complete, or the riders built custom ones from individual components, by choosing the BMX parts on their own. However, when it comes to children’s BMX, especially if they are a beginner, complete BMX bikes are a great choice. You can find bikes designed for kids, made by good manufacturers dedicated to making quality bikes in different sizes.
The first thing to take into consideration when it comes to size is the size of the wheel, which is generally measured in inches. Generally, BMX bikes’ wheels range from 12 to 24 inches, with 20 being considered the standard size. 14 inch BMX bikes are great for the youngest beginner riders, whilst 12-inch ones are considered to be balance bikes.
So, when it comes to BMX bikes, for kids between the ages 5 and 9, the most suitable size is a 14 inch BMX. 16 inch BMX bikes are suitable for kids from 7 to 14 and 18 inch and above for children older than 14 years old, according to their size. Another thing to take into consideration when it comes to BMX bikes is the length of the frame, chosen according to the young rider’s height.
Staying Safe While Riding a BMX Bike
There is no denying that BMX is a dangerous sport. However, even the sports that seem more harmless can be dangerous without proper protective equipment. So, if you decide to allow your child to ride a BMX, you should teach them about all they need to know about the dangers and safety during BMX riding. Of course, it depends on your child’s age, as well as their character, but kids can sometimes forget about their safety, and try to do some tricks without the proper skills. So, the first item on the list of safety gear is open communication with an adult, whether it’s a parent or a trainer.
When it comes to the actual gear for personal protection, the list isn’t too big, and it consists of protecting the body parts that are most likely to getting injured if you fall from a BMX. They are quite straightforward, and not too different from the standard safety gear for bike riding. The basic safety equipment for BMX kid-riders, aside from the high-quality safe BMX bikes are the helmet, the knee pads and the elbow pads.
Besides this basic protective gear, there are many other things designed to protect BMX riders, such as body armour, neck guards, goggles, gloves, etc., some of which you may decide to purchase should your child decide to stick with the sport, participate in competitions or tournaments.
