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COMPETITION EQUIPMENT
1. INSPECTION
A Before or during any competition or event, the rider, their bicycle, helmet and clothing shall at any time be subject to inspection by race officials in order to ascertain whether or not this equipment conforms to these rules. B Any rider, whose equipment is unsafe in the opinion of the race official, whether or not it fails to comply with a specific provision of these rules, shall not be permitted to ride on the track. C Any rider who does not comply with all instructions given to them by the Scrutineers, Race Director or Commissaire with respect to their equipment shall not be permitted to compete in any event.
2. CLOTHING AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT
(i) All competitors, while racing or practicing, must wear proper safety equipment, i.e. helmet, long sleeved top, tucked into long legged pants, socks which cover the anklebones, shoes or boots and gloves whose fingers completely cover the fingertips are required. If a jacket is worn, it must be securely zippered or buttoned. Body Armour is recommended but optional for abdominal protection. (ii) Helmets of either full face (highly recommended) or open face construction. Road helmets are not acceptable in BMX racing. Helmet straps must be securely fastened until the completion of the race. Open face helmets must be equipped with mouth protectors. Face protectors (i.e. Jofa) must be attached at both sides of the helmet and securely fastened until the completion of the race. (iii) Goggles are optional however when worn must remain securely in place until the completion of the race. (iv) Competitors are not permitted to wear personal jewellery (necklace, earrings etc.) or accessories that are considered a safety hazard by the Scrutineers or race director or Commissaire’s. BMXNZ Rules and Procedures Handbook 37
3. THE BICYCLE
A All bicycles used for competition must meet the following general specifications. B The wheels of bicycles competing in the standard class shall be nominally 20” in diameter. The wheel size of bicycles in the cruiser class shall measure at least 24” in diameter and may not be larger than nominally 26” in diameter. C Bicycles with 20” wheels may be raced only in standard classes. Cruisers may be raced only in cruiser classes. D The bicycle’s frame must be of sufficient strength to withstand the rigors of BMX racing and be devoid of any cracked or bent frame members or welds which are cracked or otherwise deficient. E Chain guards, side stands, mud guards, sheet metal accessories such as simulated fuel tanks, butterfly nuts, any superfluous welded or mechanically fastened fittings such as chain guard lugs, frame mounted reflectors and any other sharp protruding objects are not permitted. F Toe clips and straps are not permitted. Interlocking pedal-cleat systems however are allowed. Where an interlocking pedal- cleat system is used, the rider must be able to demonstrate the ability to engage and release from the pedals upon any request from an official at an event. G Wheel axles may not protrude more than 5 mm beyond the hub nuts. H All components, accessories and other parts must be firmly attached to the bicycle. I Tyres must be inflated to a pressure sufficient to assure safe riding under race conditions. J Quick release axles are not recommended but may be used if the release levers are taped or wired in the locked position. BMXNZ Rules and Procedures Handbook 38
4. HANDLEBARS
A. Maximum width of handlebars on both standard bicycles and cruisers shall be 74 cm (29”). B. The maximum rise of handlebars on both standard bicycles and cruisers shall be 30 cm (12”). C. Handlebar grips are mandatory and must completely cover the ends of the handlebars. D. Handlebars that are cracked or bent are not permitted.
5. STEERING HEAD
A. The forks must turn smoothly in the headset bearing without binding or excessive play. B. The stem may not protrude above the headset locknut by an amount that exceeds the manufacturer’s recommendation or by more than 5 cm if no maximum height mark is inscribed on the stem.
6. WHEELS
A. With the exception set forth in paragraph 6B below, all bicycles used in the standard 20” class must be equipped with matching wheels that are nominally 20” in diameter. Cruisers must be equipped with matching wheels no smaller than 57 cm (22 inches) in actual diameter and no larger than 26” in nominal diameter. B. The bicycles of riders aged 6 and under may be equipped with wheels smaller than 20”. C. Wheels may be laced with the full complement of spokes for which the hubs and rims are intended. Spokes must be properly tensioned and hub bearings must be adjusted to eliminate noticeable play. D. Tyres must be of one-piece construction and have tread sufficient to provide adequate grip on the particular surface that the track presents. E. Tyres must be inflated to a pressure sufficient to assure safe riding under race conditions. BMXNZ Rules and Procedures Handbook 39 F. Quick release axles are not recommended but may be used if the release levers are taped or wired in the locked position.
7. BRAKES
A. All bicycles entered in competition must be equipped with an effective rear brake, which may be operated either by foot (coaster brake) or hand (calliper brake). B. The reaction arm of a coaster brake must be securely anchored to the frame by means of a mechanically fastened clip that completely surrounds and firmly grips the chain stay. Attachment of this arm to a lug brazed or welded to the stay is not permitted. C. The rear brake cable must be secured to the frame. D. A front brake may be fitted, but is not required. E. The free end of the handbrake lever must be smoothly rounded or covered in such a manner as to prevent if from presenting a hazard. F. All exposed cable ends must be capped, soldered or covered to prevent fraying.
8. THE SEAT
A. The seat base must be constructed of material that is sufficiently strong to resist penetration by the seat post. B. The seat post must be secured to the seat tube by means of a seat post clamp. This clamp’s fixing bolt may protrude from the body of the clamp by no more than 5 mm.
9. THE CRANKS, PEDALS AND TRANSMISSIONS
A. Cranks may be of either one-piece or three-piece construction. Crank arms may be of any length so long as they do not compromise the bicycle’s ground clearance. B. The bottom bracket bearings must be adjusted so as to allow the cranks to spin smoothly and without noticeable play. BMXNZ Rules and Procedures Handbook 40 C. Pedals must be securely attached to the crank arms and adjusted so as to eliminate lateral motion of the pedal body along the pedal axle. Pedal axles must be of sufficient strength to withstand the rigors of competition. The teeth on pedal cages must be sufficiently pointed and prominent to offer effective grip on a rider’s shoes without being so sharp as to pose a safety hazard. D. Multiple speed gear systems are permitted.
10. SAFETY PADS
The following safety pads each having a minimum, thickness of 1 cm are required:
A. A pad that surrounds the crossbar of the handlebars. B. A pad that surrounds the top tube of the frame. C. A pad that covers the stem connecting the handlebars to the fork.
11. NUMBER PLATES
A. Each bicycle entered into competition must have a number plate attached to the front of the handlebars. The upper edge of this number plate may not extend above the crossbar safety pad on any handlebars having a crossbar. B. Number plates must be made of plastic or other similar flexible material. A number plate shall have a height of 20-25 cm and a width of 25-30 cm. C. Riders must use the plate and number colour combinations specified for the class in which they are racing as follows:
Elite Men, Elite Women Yellow plate, black numbers Junior Men, Junior Women Black plate, white numbers Male White plate, black numbers Female Blue plate, white numbers All Cruisers Red plate, white numbers Novice (BMX NZ) White plate, red numbers BMXNZ Rules and Procedures Handbook 41 D. Riders progressing into Junior or Elite classes must use the appropriate coloured number plate from January 1st. They may use their current National number preceded by an 0 or use their club number as appropriate.
12. BICYCLE NUMBERS
A. The numbers displayed on a bicycle shall either be a National Number of the rider as sanctioned by BMX NZ or UCI World sanctioned numbers or the member club number. All number plates must carry member club prefix. - B. If a rider has earned a New Zealand Number 1-99 they MUST ride this number at all meetings.
C. Member clubs shall only allocate numbers to riders from the number 100 - 999 inclusive. D. Number plates must display a member club prefix of 25mm minimum height and a number of 80mm minimum height by 10mm minimum width: Numbers and letters must each be uniform in size colour and be easily read. E. Novice licence numbers shall be allocated by their club licence registrar and shall be 3 digits from 100 – 999 - F. Individualised or special plates and numbers may from time to time be approved by BMX NZ National Officiating Director for use during the entire season, a Series of races or specific race meetings.
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