Aerial stunt riders use ramps to perform stunts in the air. They sometimes use ramps to jump over different types of obstacles. They pedal toward the ramps to build up speed. Riders can jump far and high when they approach ramps at high speeds. The riders do stunts in the air and they call these stunts aerials. A popular ramp that these riders use is called a half-pipe. A half-pipe is a U-shaped ramp with high walls. Riders ride back and forth in a half-pipe. BMX riders take their highest jumps off of vert ramps.

Dirt stunt riders do stunts by riding off jumps made out of mounds of dirt. Riders try to jump as high and as far as they can off of these jumps. Some dirt riders perform tricks off of dirt jumps. Riders may combine racing with stunt riding on dirt tracks. They do many of the same stunts ramp riders do.

Flatland stunt riders do stunts on areas of flat ground, including streets and parking lots. Flatland riders perform stunts by balancing and spinning on their bikes. A popular trick is called a bunny-hop. This is when a rider makes both of the wheels lift off of the ground. Flatland riders perform stunts indoors and outdoors. All they need is a surface that is flat and roomy enough for them to do their stunts.

Street riding is the oldest kind of bicycle stunt riding there is. Street riders practice and perform stunts on city or in parks. Street riders practice with the obstacles that they find in these places. They may slide along rails or jump their bikes down stairs. Unskilled or careless street riders can put other people in danger. Many cities have passed laws forbidding street riding in public places. Some cities have built special areas for stunt riding.

BMX trails are usually located in woods. They are mostly dirt jumps. Trails can have wood bridges that you have to jump down from and they have obstacles that you have to get through to get to the next part of the trail. Trails are sometimes hard to ride depending on your level of skill. Sometimes people crash on trails and get messed up. Most people that ride trails are mountain bikers.

BMX racing is a type of off-road bicycle racing. This format of racing is derived from motocross racing. BMX bicycle races are sprint races on purpose built off-road single lap racetracks. The track usually consists of a starting gate for up to eight racers, a groomed serpentine dirt racecourse made up of various jumps, banked and flat corners, and a finish line. The sport of BMX racing is an international sport. A BMX “Class” bike is strong, quick handling, lightweight derivative of the standard 20” wheel single-speed youth bicycle. Variations include a larger 24” wheel “Cruiser” class.