About

New Rule Changes for 2019

Filed under General on December 13, 2018 | Comment(s)

The annual review of the rules is one of the most important processes USA BMX conducts each year.  Throughout the year we collect a number of ideas and feedback from our membership and tracks.  These rule suggestions are then carefully analyzed by our staff with decades of BMX experience.  While we’re always working to implement policies and programs to grow our sport (like the BMX Racing League), we also shoulder the responsibility of being the stewards of BMX in North America.

Below you’ll find short explanations of rule changes for 2019. As always, please refer to the 2019 USA BMX Rule Book for exact wording of the rules.

State/Provincial Championship Series/Race of Champions

With the range of allowable dates for SCF/PCF races extending from August to the end of October, we’ve certainly expanded the window for ROC qualification, with Finals happening from as early as May to as late at October. That meant that it was time to establish a singular date for ROC eligibility – to make it fair for all riders from all state/provinces

Change the rule regarding the date used for the ROC to:

“A rider shall compete in the age and skill level that they were as of August 31st.” 

Class Creation/Move Up Rules

We had lots of problems with the older riders of the day ending up in weird classes with the 2018 version of the rules. In particular, the Girl (soon to be Expert Girl) classes were among the best examples of this. Our team has worked hard to re-write the class creation procedure to ensure riders are combined in a way that ensures good class creation and competition.   

Clips vs. Flats

Obviously, this was a hot topic coming into this year’s rules meeting. While most of us accepted clips as a part of BMX culture for the last 25 years, the rest of the world has certainly moved to put most riders back on flats. The vast majority of the best coaches in BMX supported getting most BMXers back onto flat pedals to better develop bike-handling skills.  As such, we will be migrating towards no clips for certain ages and proficiencies – albeit more slowly than the rest of the world. This will help our riders, tracks and the industry make this transition.

To allow for riders to prepare for additional changes regarding allowable equipment for their age and proficiency, there will be no changes introduced in 2019. Beginning in 2020, the use of clipless pedals will be prohibited for Intermediate riders age 12 & Under as well as for Novice riders of any age. Beginning in 2021, the use of clipless pedals will be prohibited for all riders age 12 & Under (Intermediate, Expert and Expert Girl) as well as for Novice riders of any age.  Once in place, the restriction is placed on the age/skill level of the rider – regardless of the class that rider may end up in. This is consistent with the current rules regarding Novice riders and clipless pedals. 

  • 2019 – All Novice (no change from 2018) = no clipless pedals
  • 2020 – All Novice and 12 & Under Intermediates = no clipless pedals
  • 2021 – All Novice and All Riders 12 & Under = no clipless pedals

Class Name Change

The class titled “Girl” will be re-labeled as “Expert Girl”.

This change came from the result of the Facebook post heard around the world. We appreciated the recommendation and agreed it was time to evolve and change the name of the class to better meet the needs of our customers. 

Number Plate Backgrounds

Over the past several years, numbers plate designs have made it harder and harder for our scorers, both locally and nationally, to read the plate and know the type of plate (NAG, NAT, State, etc.).  We have clarified what constitutes a number plate background to read that the background color should touch all sides of the number plate. Additionally, we are asking riders to make sure the background is a solid color and does not include a design. Standardized background colors with CMYK/RGB color codes are now included in the rulebook.  Of course, sponsor logos are welcome, however, they need to be placed on the proper background color. 

In addition, riders may use the correct background color on their side plate.

Pro Changes

One of the more significant changes to the rules in 2019 is the restructuring of the Pro class.  Starting in 2019, based on year of birth, a rider must be 19 or older to participate in A Pro, AA Pro or Women Pro (Year of Birth 2000 or earlier).  Additionally, we will be hosting Men Jr and Women Jr classes at all Pro Series races.  Traditionally, these riders were combined with AA Pro/Elite Men or Women Pro/Women Elite.  These riders with a year of birth of 2001 -2002 may race the Men/Women Jr classes at any UCI race, but will also be allowed to continue to race in their USA BMX/BMX Canada amateur class.  For example, an 18 Expert can race a Pro Series National Event and compete in both the 17-20 Expert Class as well as Men Jr.  Additionally, these riders can compete at any UCI event and maintain their amateur status with USA BMX/BMX Canada.  Riders participating in the Men/Women Jr Class will be required to have a UCI membership.  US citizens can purchase this membership through USA Cycling.

Foreign Riders

Because of the quality of event and outstanding competition, more and more international riders are coming to USA BMX national events.  As such, some clarification needed to be added for these riders.  We have added the following:

  1. Foreign amateur riders (UCI Challenge Class) are NOT required to purchase an amateur membership but are required to complete a membership application. That rider will be able to compete for the award of the day, and will NOT receive any ranking points.  Should a foreign rider wish to compete for any USA BMX ranking program, they must purchase a full membership. 
  2. Any foreign rider competing in the A Pro class, must purchase a USA BMX Pro Membership.

Additionally, we modified page 5 #10 in rulebook to: “Any rider competing with another organization may be required to compete in the equivalent proficiency at all sanctioned events. This decision rests entirely with the sanctioning body.”

Team Changes

The waiting period for switching from factory team to change from 120 days to 90 days.

NAG and National Ranking

Riders have the opportunity to earn bonus NAG/National points by racing in single point races.  The deadline to earn these bonus points has been moved up by 15 days to October 1st.  This allows a few extra weeks to ensure that these valuable points are in the system in advance of the Grands where points are finalized. 

Advancement Clarification

On page 6 #12, specify that this refers to Gold Cup #1 only – rather than just Gold Cup.

We had riders that earned Gold Cup #3 plates based on being the third rider in a three-rider class. That should not merit a mandatory move-up to the next proficiency and this fixes that rule for our National Team at those events.

Rulebook Clarifications

The Membership Department also had many rulebook clarifications/corrections that will be made – among them are specifying that a Balance Bike Upgrade keeps the same expiration date as the current Balance Bike membership (or 6 months from the date of upgrade, whichever is greater). We will also clarify that 8 single point races for “alternate eligibility” to qualify for the Race Of Champions MUST BE on the same bike. As always, check the shaded boxes for any changes in the rulebook.

Tracks Running “Total Points”

We will modify the software to change any 9 rider class to a “transfer system” race (for that class only) if a track is running their race as “Total Points” and the system encounters a 9 rider class. This is the only fair way to get 8 riders into a main event.

Image Gallery

  • Screen_shot_2018-12-13_at_8
  • Screen_shot_2018-12-13_at_8

Fa-solid-arrow-left

Membership

Fa-solid-times
We're excited you want to ride with us! If you are a new rider, welcome to the family! If you are experienced, we are glad to have you back. Please select below:
Purchasing of New Memberships is temporarily disabled. Please contact us for more info.
15%

Step 1 / 6

To create or renew your membership, please sign in to your account or create a new account. If you are purchasing a membership for someone under the age of 18 please create an account for yourself first.

Eye-password-icon@2x Eye-invisible-outlined@2x

OR Forgot Your Password?
Forgot your password? Put in your email address here and we’ll email you a link to change your password.

An email from no-reply@bmx.com containing instructions to reset your password has been emailed to you.

If you’re having trouble finding your email, try checking your Spam folder.
10%

Step 1 / 6

If you are purchasing this membership for someone under the age of 18, you must first create an account for yourself in order to enter payment options and sign safety wavers.

Birthdate must be a past date.
15%

Step 1 / 6

Password must be at least 8 characters.
Check all that apply.
15%

Step 1 / 6

Password must be at least 8 characters.

Check all that apply:

In order to comply with COPPA standards, and for your safety, riders under the age of 13 must have a parent or legal guardian register an account on the USA BMX site and consent to your profile creation. Please fill out your guardian’s email below.


Thanks for registering! Return to sign in below and sign in to your new account to continue to your purchase. An email has also been sent to with instructions on verifying your account. If you don’t see it, be sure to check your spam.
30%

Step 2 / 6

Who is this membership for?
Are you the rider's parent or legal guardian?

You must be the rider’s legal guardian in order to purchase a membership. Please have the rider’s legal guardian create an account and purchase the membership.

Is this your first time in BMX?
Please confirm your birthday.

Birthdate not accepted.
Is this the rider's first time in BMX?
Please confirm the rider's birthday.

Birthdate not accepted.
You must be over the age of 18 to purchase a membership. Please have your parent or legal guardian create an account and purchase your membership.
50%

Step 3 / 6

Balance Bike memberships are discounted and not considered a First Family Membership.
If your family member(s) already have a membership, enter their serial numbers for a $5 discount on your newest membership.
50%

Step 3 / 6

Balance Bike memberships are discounted and not considered a First Family Membership.
If your family member(s) already have a membership, enter their serial numbers for a $5 discount on your newest membership.
70%

Step 4 / 6

Gender
Skill Level
Please choose the track you would like to credit your membership to, as this helps your home track earn their ranking within the state or province.


Home Track State / Province
Home Track
Type of Membership
85%

Step 5 / 6


Please review the waivers below carefully and submit your electronic signature to consent to them.

In order for the membership to be processed, the Sanction must receive your digital signature. By digitally signing in the box below, you agree to the terms and conditions of the waivers referenced above.

Step 6 / 6

When adding a credit card, BMX Canada members must add their card to the CAN jurisdiction for processing.

SELECT USA BMX OR BMX CANADA

Step 6 / 6

Please confirm that all of your information is correct before completing your purchase.

If you do find a problem, click the back arrow to correct it.
Membership for
Home Track
Proficiency
Family Member
Membership Type
Date of Birth
Age
Payment Due
Make a Payment
Thank you for your purchase!
An email has been sent to your inbox with information on getting started with us:

Please download membership card below.

30%

Step 2 / 6

Please enter your Serial Number and Validation Code from your Trial Membership. Serial Number will be 8 digits and Validation Code will be 4 digits.
30%

Step 2 / 6

Renew a membership registered under your account, or by searching for existing memberships.
OR
50%

Step 3 / 6

Select one of the memberships below to renew a membership.
Search for Existing Memberships
50%

Step 3 / 6

Search for a rider by name or by serial number to renew a membership.
Please fill out both names.
OR
View Memberships on Your Account
50%

Step 2 / 6

Are you the rider and/or rider’s parent/legal guardian?
70%

Step 4 / 6

Gender
Skill Level
Skill Level
Please choose the track you would like to credit your membership to, as this helps your home track earn their ranking within the state or province.


Home Track State / Province
Home Track
Balance Bike memberships are discounted and not considered a First Family Membership.
If your family member(s) already have a membership, enter their serial numbers for a $5 discount on your newest membership.
Type of Membership
85%

Step 5 / 6


Please review the waivers below carefully and submit your electronic signature to consent to them..

In order for the membership to be processed, the Sanction must receive your digital signature. By digitally signing in the box below, you agree to the terms and conditions of the waivers referenced above.

Step 6 / 6

Please confirm that your information is correct and check out.
Membership for
Home Track
Proficiency
Family Member
Membership Type
Payment Due
Make a Payment
Thank you for renewing!
An email has been sent to your inbox with information on your renewal with us:

Please download membership card below.

Step 6 / 6

When adding a credit card, BMX Canada members must add their card to the CAN jurisdiction for processing.

SELECT USA BMX OR BMX CANADA