Forget everything you think you know about traditional career paths. In the BMX world, there's no college major called "Professional BMX Business Management," and you won't find a "BMX Industry Studies" degree at your local university. Yet somehow, passionate riders continue to transform their love for two wheels into thriving careers that span everything from bike manufacturing to media empires. The path isn't conventional, but it's real, and it's happening right now. The beauty of BMX career paths lies in their organic nature. Unlike corporate climbs or academic trajectories, BMX careers often start in bedrooms, garages, and local bike shops. Young riders who can't afford to find someone professional, like a paper writer for their college essays, are instead learning real-world business skills by managing their own Instagram accounts, negotiating sponsorship deals, and understanding supply chains through their desperate need for affordable parts. These aren't theoretical lessons; they're survival skills in a community where creativity and hustle matter more than credentials.
The New School Entrepreneurs
Take Scot Breithaupt, who founded SE Racing in 1977 and turned it into a major BMX brand. Breithaupt didn't start with a business plan or venture capital; he started with stickers, t-shirts, and an understanding of what riders actually wanted. His company grew from a small advertising and promotional operation into a full-scale bike manufacturer because he was embedded in the community he served.
At first glance, horse racing jockeys and BMX riders seem to be competitors from two disparate worlds. One travels dirt tracks on a bicycle, flying through the air over obstacles; the other mounts up on half a ton of animal and gallops along at incredible velocities, making his way through a pack on grass orearth. But take a closer look, and the similarities between the two high-speed sports—and their competitors—emerge clearly.
Despite the diverse milieu and mechanics, both horse racing and BMX riding require maximum physical and mental capacity. From managing the body to making decisions in a split second, both sports require an extraordinary mix of strength, strategy, and sheer nerve.
I flew to San Diego to document the BMX DAY jam as well as the entire trip. The jam had custom built spots all over the streets of SD with the top pro riders in attendance... it was insane!
The UK’s biggest celebration of music, street art, skate and BMX, NASS festival is returning to the Bath & West Showground, near Bristol on Thursday 11 – Sunday 14 July 2019 for their biggest year yet, featuring headliners Giggs, Rudimental and Cypress Hill. NASS brings together the world’s best BMX riders to compete in the biggest and most progressive contests in the country. With under two weeks to go NASS has revealed the full list of competing riders for 2019, as well as competition and jam timings. Riders from around the globe will be competing for a combined prize purse of £25,000. This year sees a number of Tokyo 2020 Olympic hopefuls competing including Alex Coleborn, James Jones, Declan Brooks, and Jack Clark who are all on the Great Britain Cycling Team’s world class BMX programme.
Back again to defend his NASS 2018 Pro Park title is America’s Justin Dowell along with 5 x X Games Gold Medalist Daniel Dhers (VEN) and 8 x NASS
Champion Mark Webb (GBR). The BMX Street Invitational will see 2018 X Games Gold Medalist Alex Donnachie (GBR), Courage Adams (NGR), Bruno Hoffmann (GER), Dan Lacey (GBR) compete for the title.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.