Rules and Regulations: BMX (Open)
Download a PDF here – LYG24_BMX_Info_Rules_v2.
BMX 1 The London Youth Games BMX competition will run according to the British Cycling Federation rules.
BMX 1.1 Should any rules listed below contradict those outlined by the British Cycling Federation, these rules will supersede those.
BMX 1.2 It will be at the sole discretion of the Competition Director as to the application of these rules, and any subsequent decision made as a result will be final.
BMX 1.3 The Tournament Organisers reserve the rights to alter or amend the playing schedule if necessary and make decisions on any matters arising during the tournament, including any matters not covered by the tournament regulations.
BMX 2 Age Category
BMX 2.1 The following age groups and respective maximum and minimum date of births will apply to the London Youth Games BMX Competition:
| Age Category | Oldest DOB | Youngest DOB |
| 7 – 8 years old | 01/01/2015 | 31/12/2016 |
| 9 – 10 years old | 01/01/2013 | 31/12/2014 |
| 11 – 12 years old | 01/01/2011 | 31/12/2012 |
| 13 – 14 years old | 01/01/2009 | 31/12/2010 |
| 15 – 16 years old | 01/01/2007 | 31/12/2008 |
| 17 – 18 years old | 01/01/2005 | 31/12/2006 |
| Wingz Junior (7–12 years old) | 01/01/2011 | 31/12/2016 |
| Wingz Senior (13–18 years old) | 01/01/2005 | 31/12/2010 |
BMX 2.2 Competitors are not permitted to enter this competition if they are ineligible. No exceptions will be made.
BMX 2.3 It is the responsibility of competitors/parents/team managers/local authority staff to ensure all competitors details are entered correctly at the time of submission, and that they are eligible to compete for their borough under the London Youth Games Games Rules, and in accordance with the age groups outlined for the competition.
BMX 2.3.1 In the instance a competitor is found to be ineligible, they will be disqualified from the competition entirely, and the borough will receive a points penalty as per the Games Rules.
BMX 3 Eligibility
BMX 3.1 Expert rider should have competed in 3 or more Regional Series or National Series races between 2023 – 2024 (competent racers).
BMX 3.2 Novices should be relatively/brand new to the sport and not competed at National series. These are riders who have not competed regularly between 2023 – 2024 and are using LYG as their first racing experience.
BMX 3.3 All riders must have British Cycling third party liability insurance (BCF membership number must be provided on entry form).
BMX 3.4 Wingz BMX race category is for any rider with a disability or impairment according to the below categories;
| Group | Impairment | Descriptor |
| G2. | Ambulant | -Standing with 4 limbs affected.
-Standing with 1 or 2 lower limbs affected. -Standing with 1 or 2 upper limbs affected. |
| G3A. | Sensory-Hearing Impairment | Anyone with a hearing impairment that requires them to wear a hearing aid or implant.
|
| G3B. | Sensory-Visual Impairment | Anyone with a visual impairment which impacts their daily lives. This does not include simply wearing glasses or contact lenses. |
| G4. | Severe Learning Disability | Anyone who has severe difficulties with pattern recognition, sequencing and memory, as well as having slower reaction time. They are likely to need support in communicating their needs and understanding abstract or complex ideas. This category includes Level 3 autism. |
| G5. | Mild Learning Disability | Anyone who has mild difficulties with pattern recognition, sequencing and memory. They may need some support to understand abstract or complex ideas. This category includes Level 2 autism. |
BMX 3.5 Team Managers can check rider rankings here.
BMX 3.6 Riders cannot ride up an age group. They must ride in their age bracket and the correct category (novice or expert) – the below outlines how riders will compete, and their allocated race code;
| Boys | Girls | Wingz | |||||
| Novice | Expert | Novice | Expert | Junior (7-12 years old) | Senior (13-18 years old) | Junior (7-12 years old) | Senior (13-18 years old) |
| 7–8 years old (1M) | 7-8 years old (2M) | 7–8 years old (1F) | 7-8 years old (2F) | 13G2F | 14G2F | 13G2M | 14G2M |
| 9–10 years old (3M) | 9-10 years old (4M) | 9–10 years old (3F) | 9-10 years old (4F) | 15G3F | 16G3(a)F | 15G3M | 16G3(a)M |
| 11–12 years old (5M) | 11-12 years old (6M) | 11–12 years old (5F) | 11-12 years old (6F) | 17G3(b)F | 18G3(b)F | 17G3(b)M | 18G3(b)M |
| 13–14 years old (7M) | 13-14 years old (8M) | 13–14 years old (7F) | 13-14 years old (8F) | 19G4F | 20G4F | 19G4M | 20G4M |
| 15–16 years old (9M) | 15-16 years old (10M) | 15–16 years old (9F) | 15-16 years old (10F) | 21G5F | 22G5F | 21G5M | 22G5M |
| 17–18 years old (11M) | 17-18 years old (12M) | 17–18 years old (11F) | 17-18 years old (12F) | ||||
BMX 3.7 It is the responsibility of competitors/parents/team managers/local authority staff to ensure all competitors details are entered correctly at the time of submission, and that they are eligible to compete for their borough under the guidance outlined above, and in accordance with the age groups outlined for the competition.
BMX 3.7.1 In the instance a competitor is found to be ineligible, they will be disqualified from the competition entirely, and the borough will receive a points penalty as per the Games Rules.
BMX 4 Squad Size and Marshals Boroughs are permitted to bring a minimum of 1 competitor and a maximum of 40 competitors, with a maximum of 20 novice riders and 20 expert riders.
BMX 4.1 Borough may be asked to provide a marshal over 18 years of age to report to LYG by 9am. If this is a requirement, LYG will communicate this prior to the event.
BMX 5 Kit & Equipment
BMX 5.1 Competitors must provide own equipment.
BMX 5.2 Competitors must wear protective clothing whilst on the track, including a full-face helmet, gloves, long-sleeve top and bottoms (no shorts, tear resistant fabric advisable).
BMX 5.3 Only 20” BMX or cruiser bikes are allowed, and stunt pegs must be removed. Front brakes must also be removed from the bike.
BMX 5.4 All competitors must have a race number board attached and clearly visible on the front of the bike (provided by LYG for collection at registration).
BMX 5.5 Handlebar grips are mandatory and must completely cover the ends of the handlebars.
BMX 5.6 Handlebar ends must be plugged. Tape will not be deemed sufficient.
BMX 6 Competition Format and Draw
BMX 6.1 Each race is contested by up to 8 riders. In each race category riders will compete in 3 “motos” before the finals.
BMX 6.1.1 Races may be combined due to low numbers. Medals and points will be separate.
BMX 6.2 Points are awarded for the rider’s position in each moto to rank all riders for their respective category.
BMX 6.3 Depending on the number of entries the riders ranked highest in each category will progress to the finals (quarterfinals and semi-finals will be used where numbers require).
BMX 6.4 The riders ranked highest in the semi-finals will progress to the A and B finals (no medals will be awarded for B finals).
BMX 6.4.1 For age groups that have 8 or less riders, the ‘Grand Prix’ rule will apply whereby all 4 races will count towards the overall result and the rider with the lowest overall score wins.
BMX 6.4.1.1 In the case that riders are tied after four races, the overall winner will be the best finisher in the 4th race, for example;
- Rider 1 finishes 1st , 3rd, 4th, 1st = 9 points
- Rider 2 finishes 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 2nd = 9 points
- Rider 1 would be the overall winner as they had the best finish in the 4th race
BMX 7 Competition Rules
BMX 7.1 No competitor is permitted on the track until their borough has registered. Riders will be allowed practice time which will be communicated by the Competition Organisers.
BMX 7.2 Competitors cannot race in more than one category.
BMX 7.3 Competitors will be informed which moto they are in based on their unique race number.
BMX 7.4 Competitors who require a transponder will receive it on the day of the competition. The transponder will track a rider’s time and inform them of what moto they are in. This information can be accessed online on the day of the competition.
BMX 7.5 Competitors who miss their time start time will be placed last in that moto. If the competitor misses two motos, they will face disqualification for their category.
BMX 8 Overall Scoring The best 2 female category placings, and the next best 8 category placings (across any gender or grade – making a total of the best 10 categories) will be combined to calculate a borough’s overall score. The lowest combined placings across the 10 categories (including the minimum two female) will be deemed the winner (1st = 1 points, 2nd = 2 points etc).
BMX 8.1 Boroughs who do not enter the minimum of two female races will automatically be ranked below those boroughs who do. If a borough enters one female race, they will be ranked below those with the minimum two, but above those with none.
BMX 8.1.1 The best 10 categories for a borough will still be combined and calculated in these instances, but will still rank lower than teams with female racers.
BMX 8.2 Tied teams will not be separated once scores from events are combined, except in the event that the top 3 teams have the same number of points then the highest number of first place race finishers will be the deciding factor, then the second-place event finishers and so on.
BMX 8.3 If a borough has entered the competition but not a category that is used in the scoring calculation, they will be placed in last position for that category.
BMX 8.2 Incomplete competition in the event that the competition is cancelled or suspended, the results from all completed events are combined and used to identify the overall winner.
BMX 8.2.1 At a minimum 6 categories’ motos must have been completed to determine a valid result.
BMX 9 Medals & Trophies Medals and trophies will be awarded as follows:
BMX 9.1 Individual medals awarded for each age category (as per categories set out in BMX 3.4)
BMX 9.2 Overall team medals presented to 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed teams.
BMX 9.3 Trophy presented to the winner of the competition.