Big air BMX takes the high-flying thrills of freestyle BMX riding to the extreme, with riders launching themselves off massive ramps to perform gravity-defying tricks dozens of feet above the ground. Emerging from the freestyle BMX scene of the 1980s and exploding in popularity during the 1990s with the rise of the X Games, big air pushed the boundaries of what was possible on two wheels. Riders use towering launch ramps and enormous landing transitions to pull off spectacular backflips, tailwhips, spins, and increasingly complex combinations, all while traveling at incredible speeds. With its combination of raw athleticism, fearless creativity, and the ever-present possibility of a spectacular wipeout, Big air BMX has become one of the most exciting and visually impressive disciplines in action sports. Of course, like most things, BMX riders going for massive air began in backwoods lots and gullies off of powerline trails where natural ramps could be formed with basic hand tools, and kids could spend the day riding without being hassled.
