Go to a search engine and type in the keywords ‘Kids in motocross.’ In a third of a second, you will get over 14 million results. Kids in soccer get a lot of mainstream publicity, but there’s rarely any mention of kids in motocross.
Yet children as young as 3 are riding dirt tracks on tiny motorcycles. The good ones get air off jumps. The parents of talented 5 and 6-year-olds are actively seeking sponsors.
We are talking about a huge culture here. It’s not like these kids can get a pair of soccer shorts and cleated shoes and go out and play. Motocross is a power sport. The bikes have engines, so they aren’t cheap. Protective gear is also expensive. It costs money to gain access to the tracks, either to practice or to race. Travel for families who have a young competitive rider can be a huge expense.
Those families who spend many, many thousands of dollars on motocross for their children don’t do it just for the kid. It’s very much a family sport. Dads and even moms will often ride and compete together. It’s a family activity. Plus, there’s something endearing about seeing a determined 3-year-old who wants to kick his pop’s butt.
Any large culture will have an effect on society, but there’s never been a study done on the effects of putting young children on motorcycles and trusting their skills and judgement to keep them safe. Surprisingly, crashes are common, but injuries are not. Most kids accept the bangs and bumps, pick up their bikes and go back to riding the track.
But what does the handling of mini-motorcycles do for children? How does it influence them as they grow older?
According to parents involved in the sport, motocross trains children to compete with good sportsmanship, improves their self confidence and makes them more daring. While it’s a very expensive family activity, it’s an unusual activity—a full-on extreme sport in which both boys and girls and moms and dads can participate.
It can also create a lucrative payoff. There are hundreds of motocross races in which to compete. As riders hit their teens, those with talent begin to stand out. Sponsors sign up, appearance fees are paid. Top riders can easily become millionaires.
Even those who don’t ride often follow the ‘circuit.’ The sport has millions of fans. So here’s the mystery: why do we hear so little about an action sport involving millions of fans and BILLIONS of dollars at a time when action sports continue to grow? It’s almost as big a mystery as how soccer can be so popular among kids and moms without ever becoming a major national sport like hockey or football.