Strap A Lid On When Riding BMX

BMX biking is more popular than ever, with a whole new generation of kids getting hooked on the excitement and energy that the world of BMX has to offer. Whether on the street or in the skate park, you'll see lots of youngsters (and the not-so young!) getting together to show off their riding skills and push themselves to achieve ever more hair-raising tricks and stunts.

There's a worrying trend however among some kids that it's not cool to wear a helmet or any other protective gear when riding BMX. It's a concerning issue, as wearing a helmet could actually prevent serious injury or worse if someone were to come off their bike mid-jump. While BMX is all about living on the edge, all true BMXers agree that it's pretty stupid to put yourself at risk by not 'strapping a lid on' each and every time you go out to ride.

Most pro freestyle riders wear the typical 'bowl-style' helmet when BMXing, as it offers great protection, but it's open front also gives you a good view of your surroundings. This is essential when spinning around 360 degrees and trying to land a trick. BMX dirt jumpers and racers however normally wear full-face helmets, as this offers the best all-round protection if you collide face-first into a bank or another rider.

The good news is that if wearing a helmet is cool enough for the pros, the BMXers on the street tend to follow their example. In addition, most skate parks now won't allow you to ride unless you wear a helmet, and in some cases, other protective gear.

So, if you're looking to take your BMX tricks and stunts to the next level, you'd best invest in a decent helmet and some other kit. Bike shops and extreme sports stores stock a good variety of BMX helmets, and you should be able to find one that suits your individual style. As well as a helmet, at the very least you ought to buy a pair of bike gloves, as these will prevent your knuckles from getting skinned every time you hit the deck.

Other kit you could invest in include elbow, knee and shin pads, and last but not least, a good-quality pair of BMXing shoes, which are essential for maintaining your grip on the pedals. Put on your protective pads under your clothing and you'll barely notice it's there.