This 16 inch (40 cm) BMX bicycle illustrates the reality that young children now learn to ride two-wheeler bicycles at a younger age. During the 1950s and 1960s children from about 4 years of age rode large tricycles. These are now unavailable in shops and children of this age now learn to ride a small wheel BMX (Bicycle Motor Cross) bicycle with the aid of trainer wheels until balancing skills have been acquired.

This BMX is painted in dark colours and decorated with 'Spiderman' transfers and printed fabric illustrations to appeal to young boys. The association of Spiderman aids the marketing appeal for both adults and children.

The first BMX bicycle was developed in America in 1971 as a cheaper alternative to the increasingly expensive trail bikes. The original form was the Mongoose and from it, through adaptation and copying, the current BMX design developed around the world.

The BMX arrived in Australia in 1977 and by the end of 1980, 49 percent of all bicycle sales here were BMX bicycles.

Hall, Timothy, "BMX Down Under", Golden Press, Sydney, 1981.

Margaret Simpson
Assistant Curator, Transport
1998

Rand, place of manufacture is unknown but may be SE Asia. This bicycle is distributed by Toys 'R' Us (Australia) Pty Ltd, Block G, Commercial Drive, Regents Park Estate, 391 Park Road, Regents Park, NSW, 2143.

Bicycle, boy's BMX, 16 inch, 'Spiderman', metal/plastic, Rand, 1997.

Child's 16 inch (40 cm) BMX bicycle comprising a metallic blue frame with the word 'Spiderman' on a transfer on the chain guard. The wheels feature wire spokes with a red rim, black tyres and orange reflectors. The seat, pedals and handgrips are black plastic while the trainer wheels attached to the rear wheel axle are blue with black tyres. A padded crash bar between the black metal handle bars is covered with a fabric print with the name 'Spiderman 'plus at the location where the handle bars meet the front fork. The diagonal and near horizontal bars of the frame are covered with a fabric print depicting an illustration of Spiderman in red and blue with the name 'Spiderman' in yellow. The bicycle has an adjustable seat, front hand brake connected to the front wheel, a chrome-plated bell on the handle bar and a rear reflector below the seat.

Maker: unknown; 1997

97/328/1

1997

835 mm

570 mm