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 hot pink and white and decorated with stickers to appeal to young girls.

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

Made by Kent International, The Phillipines. The bicycle is distributed by Toys 'R' Us (Australia) Pty Ltd, Block G, Commercial Drive, Regents Park Estate, 391 Park Road, Regents Park, NSW, 2143.

Purchased new 1997

Mint, never used, assembled by Toys "R" Us at Chatswood.

Bicycle, girl's BMX, 16 inch, 'Peppermint Swirl', metal/plastic, Kent International, The Phillipines, 1997.

Girl's 16 inch (40 cm) BMX bicycle comprising a hot pink metal frame with lighter pink dabs and decorated with 'Pepermint Swirl' stickers on the fork and chain guard. The wheels feature wire spokes with orange reflectors and white-painted wheel rims with multi-coloured daubs. The seat, padded protector along the central sloping bar and removable bag attached to the handle bars containing a pink and purple plastic water bottle, are white plastic with multi-coloured daubs. The handle bar grips are pink ribbed moulded plastic and feature pink plastic tassels. The pedals are white plastic and the training wheels are hot pink with white tyres. The bike also features a front hand brake, front clear reflector and a black and white coloured bell.

Maker: Kent International Inc; The Phillipines; 1997

97/329/1

1997

790 mm

620 mm