How long does a BMX freestyle rider get?
B · Beginner · The run · 2 of 4One minute in the park. Each rider does two runs in every heat, taken in turn: all the riders in the heat do their first run, then all do their second in the same order. A flatland run lasts between one and three minutes, as the event's guide sets it.
How it works
- Park: "Within each heat, each rider shall do 2 runs. Each run will have a duration of one (1) minute."
- The order: every rider's first run, then every rider's second run in the same order.
- Flatland, qualifying: one run of two to three minutes.
- Flatland, final: two runs of one to three minutes.
- Being ready: a rider has one minute to begin from the moment they are told they may. After that the run time starts whether they are riding or not.
- Starting in the park: from anywhere inside the field of play. The clock starts when the rider begins moving or drops in.
- Starting in flatland: on the bike, upright, both tyres on the floor. The clock starts with the first movement of the first trick.
- Outside the boundaries: riding outside the field of play is not considered by the judges.
- Warm-up: at least 40 seconds for each park heat before it begins.
- Bad weather or a large entry: flatland runs may be cut to the minimum.
Tricky cases
Does the clock wait until the rider is ready?
No, not for more than a minute. Once the rider has been told they may begin, they have one minute. Then the run time starts anyway.
Can a rider start a park run from the top of any ramp?
Yes. Riders may begin from any position within the boundaries of the field of play.
Does a rider do both runs back to back?
No. Each rider's second run comes after every rider in the heat has done a first run.
Can a rider stop early?
Yes. A run ends when its time has elapsed, and the rules do not require a rider to keep riding. Nothing more is scored once they stop.
Why the rule exists
A minute is long enough to link eight or ten tricks and short enough that every second has to be used. Two runs give a rider a second chance after a fall, and taking them in turn gives each rider a rest between efforts.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Park | Two runs of one minute in every phase | UCI 6bis.6.004; UCI 6bis.6.029 |
| Flatland | One run in qualifying, two in the final | UCI 6bis.6.004; UCI 6bis.6.029 |
| World Cup events | Their own chapter of rules, not read | UCI Part 6bis, chapter IX |
From the rule book
Union Cycliste Internationale, Cycling Regulations, Part 6bis: BMX Freestyle Competitions (JCF edition 2025, amendments to 1 January 2026), articles 6bis.6.004, 6bis.6.008, 6bis.6.029, 6bis.6.030 and 6bis.6.031. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: UCI Cycling Regulations, Part 6bis (PDF).