Naa, not really. But most people are only too aware of this whole “skateboarding vs. BMX” bullshit that’s been going on for some time now, brought to a head more recently by both sport’s popularity in the wake of the X-Games as well as irresponsible articles by the likes of Thrasher Magazine. As a direct result, in recent years BMXers have faced ever growing levels of marginalisation from those who promote skateboarding and those who provide “skateboarding facilities”, in the form of bans or restricted sessions at various skateparks. This is worse in the US where there are so many good parks that simply do not allow bikes under any circumstance, although I’ve witnessed it in the UK as well.
Anyway, I noticed today on Ride‘s site that Fudger put up an email chain started by an angry parent that ended up with one park that was about to allow bikes in changing their minds on the back of these few emails and keeping them banned instead. The parent concerned claims to be one of the old guard, someone who has lived in the area all their life, grew up in the whole Dogtown era surfing and skateboarding and so on. It’s because of this that I’m even more amazed at the level of hypocrisy that’s exhibited and that goes seemingly unchecked by the people responsible for the parks to which BMXers should be entitled.
Do you think the pools that people originally skated and rode around were meant for skateboarding? Do you think that the street furniture that’s played such a big part of both sports was intended for something so creative? What would have happened if, back when it was all starting, empty pools had been policed so fiercely that skateboarders never had a chance to ride?
I can understand the whole ‘concerned parent’ point of view, but at the end of the day your kid is involving themselves in something where danger is a huge part of the fun. If it’s not a bike in a skatepark, it’s a car in the street. Understand what you’re involving yourself in, and don’t complain when you get bitten every once in a while. Oh, and teaching kids some basic park etiquette really, really helps. Respect your surroundings.
On the flip side, the attitude that’s prevalent these days is doing BMX no favours. There’s a level of arrogance that’s been layered on in both over the years, kids don’t really appreciate their roots nor were they around to witness the dark ages where there was literally fucking nothing to ride in terms of skateparks or whatever. It’s that complacency that breeds the attitude we’re seeing now and mentioned in the email chain, and it’s a real shame as it’s inevitably going to widen the rift between the two and ensure that they’re kept out for good.
I don’t have a solution for this, but I do think it’s something that both sides need to work on. I grew up riding with skateboarders, some of my best friends in fact, and I’d hate to imagine what it’d be like if the animosity grew to the point that both were kept essentially separate and at arm’s length from one another. Let’s cut the bullshit and work together.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Well said.
I was once arrested ,twice beaten in the streets of philadelphia for skateboarding. I endured a 21 year run as a skateboarder before retiring my stick to a wall mount.It baffles me how an industry of full of creative expression & physical human evolution has not mentally evolved. Skateboards,bikes,what’s the diffference? Are we still at batlle with snowboarders vs. skiers as well or punks vs.jocks? Come on people this isn’t 13th grade. Take your turn and get off the fucking ramp ,everyone is welcome even the rollerbladers. If there was more park etiquette then we can weed out the bad seeds & those of us left wouldn’t care who was riding as long as we get to hit our run. Just have your fun,move o & lose the tude.