THE BIRTH OF THE BMX FREESTYLE MOVEMENT

A CULTURAL CELEBRATION OF BMX FREESTYLE HISTORY FROM THE MID 1970S TO THE LATE 1980S.

In the early 1980s, BMX freestyle became a creative lightning rod for a generation of kids around the world. Through organized contests, magazines, and VHS tapes, the sport spread virally out of its birthplace in Southern California and into the broader territories of North America. Ambitious new brands scaled up to meet the escalating demand for bikes and accessories. Factory sponsored riders spent long summers on the road, taking the message to the youth of America in Chevy vans, towing giant wooden ramps. The formula was simple, effective, and uncomplicated. And it couldn’t be denied.

The pages of this book contain the spoken-word record of 109 individual contributors, each of who played a role in the origination of BMX Freestyle in the late 1970s, and 80s. This community of riders, journalists, photographers, and promoters brought the vision to life through their passion, ingenuity, and collective talents. They were more than just the founders of an alternative sport; they were essential to its direction, growth, and culture throughout this legendary first era. This story is the legacy of that community.

The fundamentals of what we observe today at BMX Freestyle contests and in skateparks around the world; in YouTube videos, blogs, and social media posts, was taking place over 40-years ago. And the unique culture of BMX freestyle continues to inspire incredible feats of talent and achievement among its core community. The hardware is refined, and the tricks have continued to evolve beyond the wildest expectations of those who can appreciate the risks involved. This book exists because I personally find the first decade of this story to be the most compelling, and I believe this story should be accesible to new generations to enjoy.

The Birth of the BMX Freestyle Movement celebrates and records the origins and ascendant culture of a new alternative sport from its roots in the early 1970s and trough its first-era zenith in the late 1980s. The book delivers 350-pages of spoken word narrative from a community of 109 contributors including Wizard Publications founder; Bob Osborn, and early freestyle innovators; RL Osborn, Bob Haro, Mike Buff, Mike Dominguez, Eddie Fiola, Ron Wilkerson, and Mat Hoffman. Photography comes from the archives of a legendary community of action sports photographers, including James Cassimus, Dean Bradley, Spike Jonze, Bob Osborn, Brad McDonald, and Steve Giberson.

THE BOOK

350-pages - 109 contributors - hundreds of previously unpublished images and untold stories from the founding community of Freestyle.

THE PEOPLE

BOB OSBORN, STU THOMSEN, MEL STOUTSENBERGER, ERNIE ALEXANDER, RON WILKERSON, BYRON FRIDAY, JOHN PALFRYMAN, R.L. OSBORN, MIKE BUFF, DANA DUKE, BOB MORALES, BOB HARO, SPIKE JONZE, D. DAVID MORIN, PERRY KRAMER, DEAN BRADLEY, STEVE GIBERSON, MARK LEWMAN, PETE AUGUSTIN, WES HUMPSTON, BRIAN BLYTHER, MIKE DOMINGUEZ, HUGO GONZALEZ, MATT RAWDON, TEDD EMMER, CURTIS CUMMINS, JANET LOSI, ALLEN LOSI, RON CLEMENT, JEFF BOTTEMA, JOHN SWANGUEN, JAMES CASSIMUS, RON HARO, WINDY OSBORN, GARY TURNER, ANDY JENKINS, JAY METZLER, CRAIG BARETTE, JEFF TREMAINE, MIKE DAILY, EDDIE FIOLA, FRED BECKER, RICH SIGUR, PAUL NOLAN, DON HOFFMAN, STEVE ALBA, MARC MCGLYNN, TONY MURRAY, STEVE PERALTA, CRAIG CAMPBELL, TODD ANDERSON, ROBERT PETERSON, MAURICE MEYER, DIZZ HICKS, SCOTT FREEMAN, DENNIS MCCOY, EDDIE ROMAN, CEPPIE MAES, JOSH WHITE, TODD HUFFMAN, JOE JOHNSON, DAVE VOELKER, MAT HOFFMAN, RICK ALLISON, DAMON FROST, KARL ROTHE, CHRIS ROTHE, MARC MCKEE, AARON LEE, MIKE GOLDEN, TIM TREACEY, STEVE BLICK, NORMAN CHUCK, RICHARD ANDERSON, CAMDEN SCOTT, RICH AVELLA, RYAN NYQUIST, CAMERON BIRDWELL, OSCAR GONZALEZ, CORY ROOT-GIRL METZLER, BRETT DOWNS, VIC MURPHY, LOU PERALTA, TODD BANK, KAARLO WIK, JIMMY ARRINGTON, RONNIE FARMER, BRAD BLANCHARD, CHRIS POTTS, KEVIN MARTIN, LEE REYNOLDS, KATHY DOUGHTY, STEVE RECHTSCHAFFNER, JOHN BRINTON HOGAN, BILL SILVA, KEVIN STAAB, NICK PHILIP, EVERETT ROSECRANS, BRAD DORFMAN, ERIC MEYER, BRAD FANSHAW, DAVE NOURIE, LINN KASTAN, DAVID CLINTON, CHRIS COTSONAS, CHARLES TANG, BRIAN SCURA, STEVE PADILLA, DEREK ORIIE, AND FRANK SCURA.