our journey with other bmx mums/dads around the world

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Starting Your Child in BMX Racing: A Parent's Guide  to get an overview of when you know nothing about the sport!

  BMX racing is an exhilarating sport that offers a fantastic way for children to stay active, develop vital skills, and become part of a thrilling community. For families in New Zealand looking to dive in, here's everything you need to know about BMX racing, particularly within the 24-inch Cruiser and 20-inch BMX Challenge divisions.  

1. Choosing the Right Bike - 

**Age and Division Appropriateness**: - **4-6 Years Old**: Consider a 20-inch BMX bike for balance and maneuverability. - 

**7+ Years Old**: Evaluate if a 24-inch Cruiser bike suits their needs for better stability. - **Quality and Fit**: Opt for reputable brands known for durability and safety—ensure a proper fit for your child's height and weight. 

2. Joining a Local BMX Club - Research and Selection: Look into clubs near you, such as: - North Harbour BMX Club - Rotorua BMX Club- Hamilton BMX Club- Sunset Coast BMX Club - 

Club Benefits: Take advantage of structured training sessions, 

community support, and access to well-maintained tracks. 

3. Purchasing Essential Gear - Safety Gear: - Full-face helmet Gloves - Long sleeves and pants - Sturdy shoes - Optional Protective Gear - Knee and elbow pads for added protection  

4. **Teaching Them to Ride** - **Start with Basics**: - **Balance and Pedaling**: Begin on flat ground, gradually introducing small inclines. - **Braking**: Teach proper braking techniques for safety. Progress to Pump Tracks

 - Utilize local pump tracks to practice control and build confidence. Enroll in Training Sessions: - 

Take advantage of club-provided coaching to fine-tune skills and learn racing etiquette.  By following these steps, you'll ensure your child gets a safe, exciting, and supportive start in the world of BMX racing.

How useful a Bike Rack can be

What do you do if you want to take your bikes on holiday? You cant exactly cycle there in most cases, but youíd like to cycle around once you get there. The answer is to simply attach your bikes to your car using a bike rack, and then drive them there. Itís a lot easier than taking them on public transport, and cheaper than renting bikes once you get there.

Bike racks sit on top of your car, and can hold a surprising number of bikes and sometimes as many as five on one rack. They are very useful, yet generally inexpensive, and you can buy them at any good garage or DIY store. Donít worry too much about which model you get: as long as it can hold the number of bikes you need it to, itíll generally be just fine.

If youre going to fit a bike rack to your car, however, it is important to realise that it could potentially be a hazard not only to you and your car, but also to the other drivers on the road. For this reason, you need to make sure that the rack is secured to your car exactly as the instructions say and follow all the relevant safety regulations. If your rack seems unstable, you should take it to be fitted by a professional ñ donít take any risks.

By the same token, you should also realise that bikes that are badly secured to bike racks are very often stolen in car parks, as they are easy to take without people noticing. You should lock the bikes to the rack using a secure bike lock, such as a solid metal D-lock, and never leave them unattended without the lock on. This applies especially if you are taking valuable mountain bikes, as losing five of those at a time could be a real disaster.

• Accidents are an unfortunate part of BMX racing, and how parents handle these situations can significantly impact their child’s experience and emotional wellbeing.
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• Comfort and Reassurance: Offer comforting words and reassure them that it's okay to fall—it’s part of the learning process. 
• Encourage Them to Get Back Up: Gently encourage resilience and a positive attitude towards 
• getting back on the bike after a fall.  
• Educational Approach- Teach Safety Learnings: Use the accident as a teaching moment to reinforce the importance of safety gear and proper techniques. - Statistics and Reality Check: Help your child understand that accidents are common, especially during training sessions, which accounts for approximately 90% of incidents. This prepares them mentally and reduces fear.  
• Model Appropriate Behavior- Avoid Overreacting: 
• "Im the first person as a bmxdad to say I've stuffed up here! All i heard was a scream, I went to my 6 year old who wasn't moving and blood { I thought was coming from his ears - {he had actually split his nose and the blood trickled into his ear canal} I thought he was dead! ]
• Avoid panic and overreacting, as this can increase anxiety for your child and others. - [ EASIER SAID THAN DONE ! ]
• Show Empathy and Encouragement: Be empathetic yet encouraging, reminding them that every racer experiences falls and setbacks.  By maintaining a calm, supportive, and educational approach, you help your child build resilience, understand the normalcy of accidents in the sport, and continue enjoying BMX racing safely.

HOW SAVE MONEY WHEN YOU START BMX

Saving Money in the First Three Years of BMX Racing 

 While entering the world of BMX racing is an exciting adventure for both children and their parents. However, it can also be a costly endeavor, with expenses ranging from bikes to safety gear. For the first three years, while your child gets acquainted with the sport, it's wise to adopt a budget-friendly strategy to manage costs.  BMX racing is known for its demanding equipment requirements and rapid growth spurts in young riders, often necessitating frequent upgrades. Purchasing everything brand new can quickly add up, making thoughtful financial planning crucial.  In this guide, we'll explore how to save money on essential items like bikes, gloves, pants, armor, and racing tops. We'll discuss strategic buying decisions, such as opting for second-hand but reliable equipment, while emphasizing the importance of investing in a new bike helmet for safety reasons. With these tips, you can keep costs manageable, ensuring that your child enjoys BMX racing without breaking the bank.