Dominic Phipps

Author, Researcher, Historian.

I have nothing remarkable to claim in the history of BMX. I was profoundly and positively affected by the arrival of BMX and Freestyle as a kid growing up in the suburbs of southern England and I still find it difficult to fully understand and articulate the connection I feel to that time and this subject. I do know that ultimately BMX represented a positive and creative force in my life and like many other people I have met through the years, it gave us a license to own and shape something truly remarkable ourselves. That isn’t to say that as neighborhood riders we have a legacy that belongs in this book. It’s more a case of taking inspiration from what we witnessed on the pages of magazines and brought that formula to the street in front of our own homes. I grew up a BMX kid and I feel fortunate that I did.

For me, this book is a kind of time capsule. The events described within, although consequential to the reason BMX Freestyle exists, are somewhat disconnected and adrift from the modern culture of BMX. Despite occasional coverage in the media, their full arc and impact have never been documented in one place. My goal has been to convey that impact by creating that place and completing that arc.

Its been a fun journey to present a great story - full of characters, visionaries, and brave, ambitious kids as they struck out with no knowledge or experience in a new world. I hope you enjoy revisiting this origin era of BMX freestyle as much as I have enjoyed documenting it.