American Bicycle Association

The American Bicycle Association (ABA) was a US-based BMX racing governing body in Gilbert, Arizona. In 2011, the ABA merged with the former National Bicycle League and became the present-day USA BMX: The American Bicycle Association. The ABA was founded by Merl Mennenga and Gene Roden in 1977. Reportedly one of the world's largest BMX associations, it has tracks in the United States (under USA BMX) and in Canada (under BMX Canada). History The ABA was founded as a governing body to preserve BMX racing's competitive spirit: "This need for fairness and allowing for the fortunes of luck led the way to the transfer system, in which the winner of each moto advances to the next round - be it quarter, semi or main event". 1970's In August 1977 Merl Mennenga creates the ABA. In 1978, he first ABA National is held in Azusa, California, with 35 tracks and 3,000 participants. Following this in 1979, the ABA becomes BMX racing's largest governing body. 1980's In 1980, Greg Hill objects to the 1979 season's points scoring. In 1982 the ABA discards their points system, and the first issue of Bicycles and Dirt was published that September. A year later in 1983 An informal pro-rider boycott began and the BMX Action began an editorial boycott against the ABA.