Cycle speedway

People race bikes on dirt tracks.

These tracks are small and oval. They are often outside. The bikes have no brakes. They only have one gear.

Riders race very fast. They go around the track four times. They slide their left foot on the ground. This helps them turn.

Racers wear helmets and pads. This keeps them safe. It is fun to watch them go. They race in teams or alone.

Cycle speedway is a fast way to race bikes.

Riders race on short, oval dirt tracks. These tracks are usually outside. Some races happen indoors on smooth floors. The bikes are simple and strong. They have only one gear and no brakes. Many racers use bikes made of steel or aluminum. The tires have deep treads to grip the dirt.

People started this sport in Britain after a big war. Young people used bikes to have fun in cities. By 1950, East London had over 200 clubs! Now, the sport has many countries in it. This includes places like Poland, Australia, and the United States.

In a race, up to four riders go around the track. They usually race four laps. They ride in a counter-clockwise way. To turn well, riders slide their left foot on the track. They wear helmets and pads to stay safe. They also wear clothes that cover their whole bodies. This sport is about speed and skill. It is a fun way for teams to compete for points.

Cycle speedway is a fast way to race bicycles on oval tracks.

These tracks are usually made of dirt and are 70 to 90 metres long. Some races even happen indoors on smooth floors. Riders race alone, in pairs, or in teams of four. They ride in a counter-clockwise direction around the track. Most races go for four laps to find a winner. It is a sport built on speed and skill.

The bikes used in this sport are very simple and strong. They are built to stay in one piece during a race. Most bikes use steel or aluminium to stay tough. They have only one gear and a freewheel. These bikes do not have any brakes at all. Riders use 26 inch wheels with tyres that have deep treads. This helps the bike grip the dirt track. Beginners might even use a stripped-down mountain bike to start.

This sport grew out of the ruins of cities in Britain after a war. Young people used old bikes to have fun in the rubble. In 1945, London began organising many races. By 1950, East London had more than 200 clubs. The sport spread to places like Birmingham, Coventry, and Leicester. In 1950, the National Amateur Cycle Speedway Association was formed. This group helped create consistent rules for everyone to follow.

Cycle speedway is now a big international sport. The first big match between England and the Netherlands was in 1950. That event had ten thousand people watching it in London. Today, many countries belong to the International Cycle Speedway Federation. These include Australia, Poland, the United States, and Sweden. Some other places like Ukraine and Russia also have the sport. There are about 40 clubs left in the United Kingdom today.

Racing requires special gear to keep the riders safe. Riders wear helmets, which became required in 1999. They also wear padding on their elbows, knees, and hips. Their clothes usually cover their whole bodies from the neck down. During turns, riders slide their left foot along the dirt track. Physical contact between riders is allowed and often happens. Even with the fast speeds, no one has ever died from an accident.

Cycle speedway is a specialized form of bicycle racing held on short, oval tracks. These tracks are typically made of dirt and measure between 70 and 90 metres in length. While most races occur outdoors, some take place indoors on smooth surfaces. Unlike motorcycle speedway, the goal is not to slide the machine around the turns. Instead, riders focus on high-speed maneuvering through the corners.

This sport is practiced by individuals, pairs, or teams. Each individual race features up to four riders racing anticlockwise. A standard race usually consists of four laps, though the number of laps may change based on the age of the participants. The winner is simply the first person to cross the finish line.

The bicycles used in this sport are designed to be simple, robust, and lightweight. Most professional machines are built from steel or aluminium to ensure they remain durable during intense competition. These bikes are single-speed, meaning they have only one gear, and they utilize a freewheel mechanism. Notably, cycle speedway bikes do not have any brakes. They feature 26-inch wheels, specifically those with an ETRTO measurement of 590. To maintain grip on dirt, riders use heavily treaded tyres.

Common tyre widths for modern racers tend to be between 30 and 35 mm. Beginners often start with a stripped-down mountain bike frame and 27.5 x 1.35 tyres to learn the basics.

Racing requires specific techniques and safety equipment to manage the physical nature of the sport. During turns, riders slide their left foot along the dirt track to help balance. Physical contact between competitors is legal and often necessary to succeed in a race. Because of this, riders wear clothing that covers their entire body from the neck down. They also use padding to protect their knees, elbows, and hips. Helmets have been a mandatory requirement since they were introduced in 1999. Despite the speed and contact, there has never been an accident in cycle speedway resulting in death or serious injury.

The history of cycle speedway is closely tied to the aftermath of war in Britain. While the sport existed by the 1920s, it grew rapidly in the wreckage of post-war cities. In 1945, London led the way in organizing races on tracks cleared through urban rubble. By 1950, East London alone had more than 200 clubs, with over 20 located in Walthamstow. The sport spread quickly to other cities, including Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester, Wolverhampton, and Cradley Heath. The Birmingham league even hosted 22 teams during its very first season.

As the sport grew, it faced challenges with inconsistent rules. This was resolved in 1950 with the formation of the National Amateur Cycle Speedway Association (NACSA). Consistent rules allowed for national championships and international tournaments. A massive milestone occurred on 26 October 1950, when 10,000 people watched the first international match between England and the Netherlands at Earls Court, London. However, the sport later declined as bomb sites were cleared and riders were drafted for National Service. A period of administrative conflict followed, which was eventually settled by the formation of the British Cycle Speedway Council in 1971.

Today, the sport is professionally managed by British Cycling, the governing body for most UK cycling. The Cycle Speedway Commission acts as a management committee to advise on rules and competitions. All riders and referees must be members of British Cycling to receive comprehensive insurance coverage. In the United Kingdom, there are approximately 40 active clubs. Competition schedules include annual UK competitions, biennial world championships, and alternating European championships.

Cycle speedway has a significant international presence through the International Cycle Speedway Federation. Affiliated countries include England, Scotland, Wales, Poland, Australia, the Netherlands, and the United States. The sport is also practiced in Sweden, Ukraine, and Russia. Other nations, such as Austria, Germany, and Malta, have participated, and Ireland is regularly represented at the international level. Some famous athletes have connections to the sport, such as Olympic gold medalist Brett Aitken. Additionally, European gold medalist Jess Varnish is linked to the sport through her father, James 'Jim' Varnish, who was the World Cycle Speedway Champion in 1985.