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15 awesome cities to visit if you ride BMX
Love the street life? Check out these cities that were practically made for riding, with the perfect scene and vibe for kicking back when you’re done.
Fed up of riding the same old places? Want to explore some new territories on two-wheels? Maybe it’s time for a city getaway. If you’re looking for that winning combination of perfect riding opportunities, a great scene, interesting architecture and features to ride and of course plenty of opportunities for relaxing and soaking up the atmosphere, then we’ve got the places you should be adding to your ride destination lists.
You can get a taste of these spectacular BMX destinations without even having to leave your home. 3 Day Metro Pass is a video series that takes some of the best riders to some of the best riding destinations in the world, like Barcelona, Washington or Seoul to see what’s possible in – you guessed it – three days. Watch below for a clip on the making of the series.
6 min
Three days to make it happen
See how top BMX riders filmed their best tricks in just three days, using only public transit to get around.
Download the free Red Bull TV app and catch the BMX action on all your devices! Get the app here
Each city has a sweet selling point, whether it’s the thriving bike culture of Austin, Texas or the architecturally sculpted streets of Barcelona, Spain, which could have almost been handcrafted to skatepark perfection. Here, in no particular order, are 15 of the best...
1. Austin, Texas, USA
14 min
BMX adventures in Texas
After landing in Austin, Texas, Kriss Kyle finds a local tour guide in BMX legend Chase Hawk.
Why?Austin, Texas is a city that lives and breathes BMX. If you're looking for a BMX haven this is your city. Check out 9th Street BMX for dirt jumps and the Heath Eiland and Morgan Moss BMX skate park located in the city centre.
Watchout for: The searing summer heat and the fact that you might never want to leave.
Things to do when off the bike: Take a splash at the numerous public swimming holes like Barton Springs Pool, check out the murals on South Congress Avenue, admire the Texas State Capitol building or go see a band play as Austin is the self-proclaimed live music capital of the world.
2. Barcelona, Spain
Why?Barcelona could've been built to ride: stunning architecture, a chilled Spanish vibe and legendary BMX spots. Use the handy BCN website to find places to ride.
Watch out for: Tourists. Lots of tourists. Especially in the summer season. It also gets hot, hot, hot, so be prepared to seek shelter in the middle of the day.
Things to do off the bike: Given that Barcelona is known for its beautiful, long and sundrenched seafront, having a skateboard along the beachfront and a swim in the ocean is a must. Food also has got to be on your agenda; graze your way through the day with mouthwatering pintxos and tapas; bombas, croquettas, patatas bravas, manchego cheese and, of course, paella.
You can’t help but get an art and architecture fix in Barcelona. Home to famous artist Gaudi, his incredible and unusual architecture has simply got to be seen, so head to La Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and La Padrera and see just how weird and wonderful buildings can be.
3. Paris, France
3 min
BMX Guide to Paris
Matthias Dandois shares his favourite places and spots to ride in the French capital.
Why? Old squares, historic monuments and amazing views, not to mention culture and cuisine. Two iconic ride spots are a must-visit; Place de la République and the Mappmonde, but you’ll find plenty of places around Paris to get your fix, such as the Palais de Tokyo and Montmartre.
Watch out for: Flatland rider Matthias Dandois, who can be found sessioning his favourite spots in the French capital. If you’re visiting Montmartre, be prepared for steps. Lots and lots of steps.
Things to do off the bike: While you’re at Montmartre a visit to the famous Sacré-Cœur Basilica is crucial and of course some time to drink in the epic views over the city. The food everywhere will be awesome, whether it’s a simple baguette sandwich from the local boulangerie or fresh croissant and coffee for breakfast on the go. Get your art fix at the Louvre gallery and you probably already know the monuments on the must-see list: Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame cathedral. But also give yourself some time to just cruise the city, sit in a cafe, wander the banks of the Seine and absorb that certain Parisian 'je ne sais quoi?'
4. Washington DC, USA
Why? 70 sq m [113 sq km] and over a million residents, there's plenty of places for street sessions in Washington DC. You’ll find walls, rails, steps, slopes and features to ride to your heart's content and there are plenty of skate parks too, like the Shaw Skate Park.
Watch out for: The heat and humidity in the summer can be stifling, so make sure you’ve got plenty of water and a few cool spots scoped out to chill out in, literally.
Things to do off the bike: Go see the iconic sights you’ve seen in a million movies, including the White House and the Lincoln Memorial. Washington is also a place to expand your mind and broaden your horizons with museums like the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History (bring on the sharks and dinosaurs), the National Gallery of Art and the National Museum of African American Culture and History.
5. Seoul, South Korea
7 min
Seoul Searching
When five BMXers take a two-wheeled tour of Seoul, they leave no stunt unturned.
Why? Vast skyscrapers and towering residential blocks, endless mazes of back streets, alleys and dead ends – it’s the perfect place for an adventure.
Watch out for: The best spots for street riding often have high levels of security, so you’ll need to pick your moment, have someone keeping watch and be careful.
Things to do off the bike: Sample the rich culture and heritage with a visit to Changdeokgung Palace, which has incredible classical architecture, secret gardens and calm ponds. If you’re hungry and you want to feast on local food you really have to visit Gwangjang Market, with it’s huge range of snacks and delicacies. Just watch out for the chillies!
6. Seville, Spain
Why? Stunning Seville has turned itself into a bicycle-friendly city, so getting between spots will be safe and simple. As for the riding itself? Well, combine the outstanding architecture, Spanish charm and friendly locals with glorious sunshine and you’ve got a match made in BMX heaven.
Watch out for: It gets incredibly hot during the summer and one of the easiest ways to cool off is a trip in the air-cooled metro. Or make like a local and have a siesta during the hottest part of the day, then ride in the golden light of dawn or sunset when it’s much cooler.
Things to do off the bike: Visit the Metropol Parasol – apparently unofficially called the Mushrooms of the Incarnation – Seville’s striking bus station, or Plaza Espana and Maria Luisa Park in the centre of town for large open spaces with the occasional cooling fountain. Then head to Triana, the former Gypsy quarter, for winding colourful streets and tapas galore; this is the place to satisfy your chorizo cravings.
7. New York City, USA
5 min
Tom Oehler: Timeout in New York City
Tom Oehler: Timeout in New York City
Why? So good they named it twice, New York is one of the most iconic cities in the world and is rideable year-round, though the dead of winter often sees snowfall that’ll make street riding trickier.
Watch out for: Too much snow to ride outside? You can still get your fix by heading to the 5050 indoor skatepark on Staten Island.
Things to do off the bike: Chances are you probably already know the city through the hundreds of films it’s featured in. Times Square with its huge neon signs is a must, then take a ferry out to see the Statue of Liberty. Then of course there’s Broadway if you want to catch a show and endless shopping, restaurants, clubs and more.
8. Prague, Czech Republic
Why? The capital of the Czech Republic is full of Art Deco and Medieval charm and is noticeably more affordable than much of Western Europe. It also has old squares, winding lanes and steps aplenty for getting creative with. Or if you prefer a little park action there are over 10 skateparks in the city, including the covered Mystic Skatepark, where weather won’t halt play.
Watch out for: The large number of tourists in the centre means the suburbs are a better place to find riding spots.
Things to do off the bike: The city itself with its amazing architecture is a huge draw, so riding from spot to spot is the ideal way to drink in classic sights like Wenceslas Square, the Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square, with it’s amazing Astronomical Clock, which you’ll definitely want to see in action, so time your visit right. Or take a horse and carriage if you don’t feel like riding.
Then, post-ride, head to the Beer Spa and soak in a beer bath to relieve those tired muscles. Yes, really.
9. Athens, Greece
6 min
Panos Manaras – Athens Ride
Join Panos Manaras for his latest adventure as he goes for an Athens Ride.
Why? One of the oldest cities in the world, Athens is understated as a BMX spot, but there's a great scene there. Friendly locals, good food and stunning architecture tops it off.
Watch out for: Dirt and street rider Panos Manaras who lives in the city. Like other mediterranean cities, it can get very hot during the summer months so plan accordingly.
Things to do off the bike: Ancient history is close to the surface here and you can visit places of legend, such as the Acropolis and Temple of Poseidon.
If you fancy something a bit more modern, head to the Plaka neighbourhood just below the Acropolis, to browse shops and restaurants, then in the evening visit Cine Paris, where you can watch a film in a beautiful roof garden cinema.
10. Berlin, Germany
4 min
Tim Knoll in Berlin
BMX flatland and freestyle legend Tim Knoll brings his uniquely creative style to Berlin.
Why? The German capital has so much to see and do that you’ll be kept busy. It’s super-trendy, but with a relaxed vibe, the nightlife is incredible and the history thought-provoking. Plus, there are endless areas to explore and riding against a backdrop of modernist architecture.
Watch out for:Numerous street spots are spread out over a massive distance you'll need public transport to make the most of them all, or be prepared to ride a fair way. Hop on the U-bahn for a quick way to get about.
Things to do off the bike: Chow down on some currywurst (a.k.a. sausage with curry sauce, a Berlin delicacy) while exploring the art on the East Side Gallery, where murals have been painted on the last remaining sections of the infamous Berlin Wall.
This is a city with modern, familiar history close to the surface and a visit to Checkpoint Charlie is a must – you can trace the path the Berlin Wall took and hear the stories of those who tried to make it over in the Mauer Museum next to it.
11. Vancouver, Canada
Why: The waterfront city has a cool, laid back vibe, with plenty of riding opportunities from modern city-centre to the cobbled, historic Gas Town, then there’s the huge green space of Stanley Park. Don’t forget to take a ferry across to the North Shore where there are even more riding opportunities.
Watch out for: The rain, which can halt play. This coastal city is prone to the wet stuff, though the temperatures are generally mild year-round.
Things to do off the bike: Wander Gas Town and explore the restaurants and bars the area has to offer, head out on a whale watching trip into the beautiful islands and inlets around the coast in this part of Canada, or hug the land by riding the coastal trail around Stanley Park. If you like calm in the city, head to the beautiful Dr. Sun Yat-Sen chinese garden and in the evening contrast it with the bustling Richmond Night Market, where you can find plenty of tasty treats to eat.
12. Madrid, Spain
Why: Cosmopolitan Spain has the magical combination of atmosphere, scene, soulful weather and incredible places to ride, which is why the capital Madrid is the third Spanish city to make this list. Base yourself in the centre then head out to explore the local villages for riding gold – metro pass essential! Check out Skatepark Madrid Rio if that’s more your vibe.
Watch out for: Hot temperatures in the summer mean you’ll be joining in with the local tradition of siesta before you know it. And there’s more of a buzz riding in the early morning or later evening anyway. On the flip side, there’s also a rainy season, so aim to avoid that.
Things to do off the bike: If you’re hungry head to Vallehermoso Market for all the tasty treats you could wish for. Or if you’re more into shopping, check out the ancient El Rastro street market. La Tabacalera is a free, open-air art gallery and installation space and well worth a visit.
13. Lisbon, Portugal
Why: There’s plenty of varied terrain and architecture, which makes Lisbon a great place for finding ride spots. There are plenty of skateparks too, like Monsanto, Bairro Horizonte and Campolide, which sits under a motorway flyover, each filled with bowls, rails, ramps and steps.
Watch out for: Extreme heat in the summer months, which means you may want to keep your riding for early mornings, afternoons and evenings. But long, sunny and warm evenings mean you can ride late into the night and catch up on your sleep in the daytime.
Things to do off the bike: Three words: pastel de nata. These delicious sweet custard tarts with crisp pastry are a Portuguese delicacy and downright delicious. Eat loads of them. A sight that’s definitely worth seeing is the Torres de Belem, a huge stone tower that sits in the river, guarding the city.
Then take a tram or two through the city and sit out in the Rossio Square watching the world go by or chill out (literally) by the fountains.
14. Montreal, Canada
Why: So many riding spots, so little time! As well as the city sprawl, with plenty of modern buildings and historic areas, there are also skateparks galore, such as BMX Montreal, Verdun and Project 45. For indoor riding, head to La Taz skatepark.
Watch out for: Dust off your French, as it’s the main language spoken in Montreal (though pretty much everyone is bilingual). It also gets very, very cold in the winter, with plenty of snow, so if outdoors is your thing, aim for the summer months.
Things to do off the bike: Have you really been to Montreal if you haven’t eaten poutine? It’s basically the local dish of Quebec and consists of chips smothered with cheese curds and gravy. It might not sound tasty, but rest assured it’s delicious and served pretty much everywhere in town. We also recommend roaming the Old Port or Vieux-Port and the cobbled streets of Old Montreal. Another spot worth visiting (and riding) is the Montreal Olympic Park, built for the 1976 Olympic Games.
15. Milan, Italy
Why: It may be home to some of the big fashion houses, but this northern Italian city has a lot more than haute couture to offer. It’s bursting at the seams with history, culture, art and of course incredible food.
Watch out for: Milan is flat and modern, which means you'll have to hunt to find your ride spots. It’s worth making some local contacts who could show you around.
Things to do off the bike: Check out the street art in Isola, then go see one of the most famous paintings in the world; Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper. Food is, of course, a major draw and this region is famous for risotto, polenta, panettone and, of course, pizza. We recommend stuffing yourself on piadina – hot sandwiches somewhere between a folded pizza and a tortilla, filled with delicious fresh ingredients like salami, cheese and rucola.
