BMX in the Valley: A Guide to Getting Started with Haro Bikes

BMX never really went away. It went underground for a while, moved into skate parks and pump tracks, evolved into a discipline that rewards skill and progression at every level. The San Fernando Valley has the terrain, the parks, and the community to support it. And Cycle World Bike in Canoga Park is one of the few shops in the area carrying authorized Haro bikes, the brand that helped define the sport.

Whether you are a parent looking for your kid's first BMX, a rider returning to the sport after years away, or someone who just wants to know what all the hype at the skate park is about, here is what you need to know to get started.

What Kind of BMX Riding Do You Want to Do?

BMX is not a single discipline. There are four main styles worth understanding before you buy a bike. Freestyle BMX is the most common entry point for new riders and covers street, park, flatland, and vert riding. The bikes are built for tricks and durability, with 20-inch wheels, strong chromoly frames, and 360-degree rotation capability. Race BMX is a completely different sport, built for speed on dirt tracks. The bikes are lighter and geometry is aggressive. Pump track BMX sits between the two, focused on flow, speed, and momentum through berms and rollers.

Most riders starting out in the SFV are looking at freestyle or pump track riding, and the Haro lineup covers both well. Knowing which direction you want to go before you buy determines which frame geometry, weight, and component spec is right.

Why Haro: A Brand That Built the Category

Haro Bikes was founded in 1978 and was instrumental in establishing BMX freestyle as a discipline. The brand has won more BMX world championships than any other and has been at the forefront of both race and freestyle development for over four decades. When you buy a Haro, you are buying from a company that actually knows what BMX riding is and builds bikes for riders rather than for the display floor.

The Haro lineup spans entry-level bikes perfect for first-time riders and kids through professional-grade builds for competitive and serious freestyle riders. The Shredder is the most popular entry-level kids' BMX we carry, and the Downtown and Boulevard lines are the adult freestyle bikes we recommend most for new and returning riders.

Where to Ride BMX in the San Fernando Valley

The SFV has solid BMX and skate park infrastructure across the Valley. Reseda Park Skate Park is one of the most well-maintained facilities in the Valley with a mix of street and bowl terrain suitable for BMX. Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area has open areas used by BMX and mountain bike riders and is easily accessible from Canoga Park. The Granada Hills Skate Park is another solid local option with consistently good flow.

For pump track riding specifically, the Woodley Park pump track in Van Nuys is one of the best free public pump tracks in the LA area. It rewards technique over power, which makes it useful for building skills regardless of whether your background is BMX, mountain bike, or road.

Come In and See the Haro Range

We carry authorized Haro BMX bikes at Cycle World Bike and can help you or your kid find the right entry point into the sport. Whether you need a first bike for a 7-year-old or a quality freestyle setup for an adult rider who wants to start taking the skate park seriously, we have something on the floor worth riding.

Call (818) 818-6262 to check Haro inventory before visiting. We are at 8913 De Soto Ave, Canoga Park. Open Monday through Friday 11am to 6pm, Saturday 11am to 5pm, Sunday 12pm to 5pm.