"Dad, all my friends have a BMX. I want one too!"
That's how it all started. My son Leon, then 8 years old, came home every day with this sentence. And to be honest, I had no idea.
A regular children's bike? Sure. But a BMX? That sounded like danger, expensive repairs, and worries. Today, two years later, I can say: It was one of the best decisions we made for Leon.
Here is our story - with all the doubts, mistakes and what I would do differently today.
Doubts before buying
"Is Leon even old enough?"
At 8 years old, Leon was already a confident cyclist, but BMX? It looked so extreme. All those jumps and tricks in the YouTube videos.
My worries:
- What if he gets hurt?
- Is he physically strong enough?
- Does he lose interest quickly?
What helped me was a visit to the local skatepark. Leon was fascinated, but not scared. He asked the older kids how certain tricks worked. That was a good sign.
"Can we even afford that?"
A decent BMX bike cost around €499. Add a helmet, protectors... and we'd quickly be at €600. Luckily, we found Bikers Base and were able to save a lot of money thanks to their incredible deals.
But it was a "hobby" that we didn't know if it would last.
My mistake: I only thought about the acquisition costs, not the value for Leon's development.
The purchase: Learning through mistakes
Mistake 1: Almost bought the wrong bike
My first impulse: Order the cheapest BMX bike from Amazon. €159, good reviews, fast delivery.
Luckily, I spoke to a colleague beforehand whose son has been riding BMX for years. His answer: "Don't do it. It's just frustrating."
What I learned: There are no good €150 BMX bikes. Entry-level bikes currently start at around €255, and even more important is getting the right size. Saving money in the wrong place ("let's just buy a 20-inch BMX") won't help. If it doesn't fit, it's no fun.
The right decision
We searched online and found Bikers Base. Leon looked at the different bikes and then called the team. The friendly gentleman explained the differences and what we should consider when making our decision.
Our choice: WeThePeople CRS for €599. Not the cheapest, but solid and from a genuine BMX brand.
Why this was important: Leon immediately noticed the difference compared to his normal bicycle. It felt "professional".
The first few weeks
Day 1: pure enthusiasm
Leon didn't want to let go of the BMX bike at all. He rode cautiously around the block at first, then more and more boldly. The bike felt different from his regular bicycle – more direct, sportier. After two hours, I practically had to beg him for dinner.
Week 1: First small successes
After just a few days, Leon was already trying his first "tricks"—if you can call riding over small branches that. Nothing spectacular, but he was beaming from ear to ear. The BMX gave him a feeling of "I can do this" that I had never seen with his regular bike.
Week 3: The first setback
Leon wanted to do a small jump over a ramp in the park. It didn't work; he landed hard on the ground. Luckily, he only had a few scratches, but for a moment I thought: "Was that a mistake?"
The answer came the next day. Leon wanted to try again. This time it worked. The look of pride on his face was priceless.
What surprised me
Leon became more self-confident
After a few months, I noticed changes that had nothing to do with BMX. Leon was more confident, tried new things, and didn't give up so easily. It was as if BMX had shown him: "You can do more than you think."
The community was great
At the skate park, Leon quickly made friends with other kids. BMX riders are a close-knit community – the older ones help the younger ones, and everyone celebrates each other's progress. Leon found friends there he would never have met otherwise.
The security concerns were exaggerated.
Sure, Leon had a few falls. But nothing serious. BMX riders learn how to fall properly early on. And with a helmet and protective gear, serious accidents rarely happen.
One year later: The results
The BMX bike isn't in the garage.
Unlike many other "hobbies," Leon's enthusiasm for BMX hasn't faded. He still rides several times a week, learns new tricks, and meets up with friends at the park.
The investment has paid off.
The WeThePeople BMX is still running perfectly. No major repairs, just routine maintenance. Compared to what friends spent on their cheap BMX bikes, our "expensive" BMX ended up being cheaper.
Leon has grown
Not just physically – Leon has become more self-confident, learned to persevere and cope with setbacks. BMX has been a catalyst for his personal development.
What I would do differently today
Start earlier
I wouldn't have hesitated so long. Leon was ready, I was just too scared.
Buy the right equipment right away.
At first, I skimped on helmets and protectors. That was a mistake. Good protective gear provides more safety for both sides – the child while riding and the parents while watching.
Have more confidence
Children are capable of more than we often give them credit for. BMX has shown me that Leon is quite capable of assessing what he feels he can and cannot do.
My conclusion: One of the best decisions
Buying his first BMX bike was an investment in Leon's development. It gave him confidence, brought him new friendships, and showed him that with practice and perseverance, he can achieve almost anything.
The 599 euros were money well spent. Not just for a BMX bike, but for everything that came with it.
For other parents who have doubts
My advice: If your child meets the basic requirements and is genuinely interested, don't hesitate too long. Invest in quality – both in BMX bikes and protective gear. And have faith in your children. They are capable of more than you think.
Two years later, Leon is still enthusiastically riding BMX. And I'm proud that I said "yes" back then.
Are you also considering whether a BMX is right for your child? Here you'll find high-quality entry-level BMX bikes that deliver on their promises.