The first round of the 2026 UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup starts this month (13-17 May) in Montpellier, France. Flatland is on the programme, and we take this opportunity to look at the ins and outs of the impressive BMX Freestyle format.
BMX Flatland is often described as “breakdancing on a bike”. Once you see it, you understand why. Unlike BMX Racing, where riders sprint around a track, or BMX Freestyle Park, where athletes launch themselves off ramps, Flatland takes place on a flat surface. Riders perform tricks, spins, balances and transitions between tricks using only their bike, creativity and control. Originality in top-level Flatland is essential.
At first glance, it looks impossible. Bikes spin in circles, handlebars rotate endlessly and riders appear to glide around without touching the ground. Flatland is about as technical and expressive as cycling can get. It combines athleticism, balance, rhythm and imagination. It’s as much about style as it is about difficulty – and no two riders approach it in the same way.
The basics
Competitions for BMX Freestyle - Flatland usually take place on a smooth indoor floor or outdoor concrete surface.
Instead of racing against the clock or navigating a course, riders perform choreographed runs made up of linked tricks and combinations. The aim is to impress judges with difficulty, originality, control, flow, style and variety. A good Flatland run is continuous and creative, with riders moving flawlessly from one trick into another.
At international level, riders compete individually, with each athlete taking turns to perform their routine in front of judges and spectators. To compete at events on the UCI International Calendar, riders in both the men’s and women’s categories must be at least 15 years of age.
The tricks
Of tricks performed in competition, common elements include: front-wheel balance tricks; back-wheel balance tricks; spins and pivots; frame and peg tricks; handlebar rotations; circular rolling combinations; and turbine tricks (a “turbine” is a technique where the rider spins continuously in circles, using one foot to push or “kick” the wheel or tyre repeatedly to maintain momentum).
Many tricks have unique names that reflect the culture and creativity of the discipline, while riders get to name a trick that they’ve invented themselves. BMX Flatland riders combine these moves into sequences that can last several minutes. One of the defining characteristics of Flatland is progression: athletes constantly invent new tricks or adapt existing ones because originality is highly valued. Innovation plays a huge role in success.
Get an idea by watching highlights of last year’s UCI World Championships for BMX Freestyle – Flatland, which were part of the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The bike
Flatland BMX bikes are different from other BMX bikes because they’re designed for balance and trick control. They’re generally lighter and more compact than BMX Freestyle Park or BMX Racing bikes, helping riders react quickly and maintain control.
One of the most distinctive features is the use of pegs – small metal cylinders attached to the wheel axles – that riders stand on while performing tricks and transitions.
Tyre pressure, frame dimensions (steep forks and short top tube) and handlebar setup are all chosen to suit a rider’s individual style. It’s mandatory to have a drive chain on the bike, so it’s possible to ride it like a “regular” bicycle.
The unique geometry of the bikes allows athletes to spin the handlebars and frame freely. The use of brakes is a choice. The current trend is to ride brakeless, which makes it harder to perform certain tricks as there’s no “safety net” by stopping a wheel from rolling. Balance becomes even more important when riding brakeless.
The creativity
Flatland emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when BMX riders began experimenting with tricks on smooth ground instead of dirt tracks or ramps. Over time, it developed its own strong artistic identity. Music, fashion and street culture have all influenced Flatland’s evolution. Unlike many sports where athletes perform similar movements, Flatland encourages individuality. Riders often develop their own signature tricks and styles, making each performance unique. Some athletes favour highly technical and difficult combinations, while others focus on smoothness, musicality or artistic expression. That freedom is one reason Flatland has built a passionate global community.
The world stage
Today, BMX Flatland is practised worldwide, with strong scenes in many countries including Japan, France, Germany, Spain and the United States. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) organised the UCI World Championships for BMX Freestyle - Flatland for the first time in Chengdu, China, in 2019. Czechia’s Dominik Nekolný and Austria’s Irina Sadovnik were the first Flatland riders to receive the rainbow jersey of UCI World Champion.
International competitions now showcase the world’s best riders performing increasingly complex and innovative routines. Japanese riders have played a particularly important role in modern Flatland, elevating the technical level of the sport to extraordinary heights. The women’s discipline has also grown rapidly in recent years.
The attraction
Flatland competitions are unique. They are competitive but also creative. Fans are drawn to the originality of the performances and the endless possibilities of what riders can do with their bike. Because there are no ramps, jumps or race tracks involved, Flatland also strips BMX down to its purest elements: rider, bike and imagination.
For some, it’s a sport. For others, it’s art. For many riders, it’s both. And whether you’re watching for the first time or have followed it for years, BMX Flatland remains one of cycling’s most fascinating displays of skill and creativity.