Accident Insurance for BMX
Medical limits available: $25,000 to $100,000
AD&D limits up to $10,000
Deductibles available: $100 to $5,000
General Liability Insurance for BMX
Limits available: $1,000,000 to $6,000,000
Sex Abuse / Molestation available
Non-owned Hired Auto Liability available
If you own, operate, or have 24-hour responsibility for a facility, please contact us for an alternate application.
BMX Risk Management
Insurance carriers require certain risk management controls as a pre-condition of offering coverage. For starters, all participants including parents in the case of a minor, must sign a waiver/release agreement. Waiver/release agreements are worth the paper they are written on despite advice that is often given by local legal counsel. See the sections below for additional steps to minimize risks in facilities, equipment and training.
BMX (bicycle motocross) racing got its start in California, inspired by motocross. It quickly became popular and debuted as an Olympic sport in the 2008 Beijing Games. BMX also includes stunt riding (or flatland BMX) and recreational riding.
BMX Racing
A BMX race course is similar to a motocross track, but generally smoother and about 900 to 1,100 feet in length. Many BMX races are short sprints that last less than a minute.
Flatland BMX
Flatland BMX riders perform stunts on freestyle BMX bikes on a flat area of concrete or asphalt. In competition, judges award points for the difficulty of tricks performed and how the tricks are linked together.
Street and Park BMX
This form of BMX riding is similar to flatland but includes a course with jumps and ramps similar to a skateboard park. Riders perform tricks and stunts around the course using various ramps and other features for aerial tricks.
Stunt Vert BMX
BMX vert is an extreme form of BMX bike riding. In BMX vert there are two 8 to 10’ tall quarter pipes which face each other. BMX riders go up and down the sides of the quarter pipe gaining speed until becoming airborne. Tricks are performed in the air or off of the lip of the ramp.
The risk of injury in BMX
No matter the style of BMX, riders are always at risk for crashes and spills. High-speed accidents can occur during a race or in practice. No rider is immune from injury. Taking proper measure helps minimize such risk of injuries.
BMX coaches should be trained in first aid. EMTs should be in attendance at all races.
A BMX rider’s skin should be covered. A full set of gear for a BMX rider should include:
- Lightweight racing pants (nylon or sail cloth tend to more difficult to tear). Pants with knee and hip padding are available.
- Long-sleeved shirt. Racing jerseys with padding sewn into the elbows are available.
- Gloves should cover the entire hand. Many BMX riders use motocross gloves , which provide the best protection.
- Flat-soled sport or tennis-style shoes offer the necessary adhesion to the pedals.
- Socks that cover the ankles.
- A one-piece, full-face helmet construction constructed of lightweight materials.
Never skimp on the quality of a BMX helmet. To fit properly there should be little or no movement when the rider shakes his head. A motorcycle or motocross helmet are bigger and often heavier than proper BMX helmets.
About the Bike
BMX racing bikes are typically aluminum and usually have 20” wheels. The knobby tires provide good traction on the dirt. The freestyle BMX is made more for stunts and therefore heavier to withstand impact when landing tricks. The tires are usually smoother than those on racing bikes and usually come with rear and/or front axle pegs where riders stand for stunts.
A third style is the BMX jumper, which is usually of medium weight and has knobby tires.
Things to look for when purchasing a BMX bike
- A frame and forks the correct size and in good condition, not distorted, cracked or broken.
- Wheels no larger than 53.3mm in diameter.
- An axle that doesn’t extend more than 6mm beyond the axle nut.
- Handlebars no wider than 735mm.
- Brakes that lock the back wheel .
- Properly inflated tires with no splits or separations.
- Greased and properly tensioned chain and bearings tensioned.
- Pedals that have effective grip.
Basic BMX bike maintenance tips
- Tire pressure check: Riders often overfill their tires until they feel rock hard. Only fill tires to the limit of air pressure based on the manufacturer’s recommendation. Changes in weather can affect tire pressure, so check tire pressure weekly to prevent under- and over-inflation.
Bearings and chain: Grease bearings and chains regularly. It’s best to grease every time you are fixing or tightening a part on your bike.- Keep wheels trued: Truing a bike wheel requires skill, which is a good one to have. We recommend this video tutorial. However, bike repair shops offer this service.
- Tighten the bars: The constant pressure riders apply to your bars and stem causes them to loosen over time. A simple tightening and alignment with a wrench makes all the difference in preventing spills.
Preventing Injuries through track maintenance
A BMX track requires regular maintenance to ensure that it stays in good condition for the safety of the riders. Typically, the responsibility for maintenance and repairs lies with the track owners or the BMX club.
A thin layer of gravel often rises to the track surface with the passage of time. When this occurs, water and compact the surface with a 4-wheel ATV or vibrating plate compactor. Do not sweep gravel off the track. Regular use of the track during races and practices helps smooth and pack the surface.
In dry weather, water the track regularly, and always prior to use in order to maintain its integrity. Do not permit riding on the track when it is very wet; doing so causes ruts and compromises tire traction. Riders should never be permitted on the track with standing water.
No post-construction modifications should ever be made to the track by anyone than a qualified builder of outdoor tracks.
The track should be fully fenced to prevent onlookers from access during races/practices. Post signs regarding track access by minors, participants and onlookers should be posted in highly visible areas.
The experts at Sadler Sports and Recreation Insurance will be happy to answer any questions you have about BMX insurance for teams, leagues, courses and events, or to assist you in assessing your unique insurance needs. Give us a call at (800) 622-7370 or fill out our quick online application for a BMX insurance quote now.