From freestyle triumphs and YouTube fame to builds in Dubai garages and Olympic aspirations—this roundtable explores the determination, heart, and future of BMX culture. Featuring influential figures from various generations—legend Bob Haro, creative innovator Ryan Taylor, and the ICONIX revival team—this is more than just a dialogue; it’s a roadmap for creating a legacy. Building Legacy in BMX and Beyond:
Few names in BMX carry as much weight as Bob Haro. As a pioneer of freestyle BMX and the founder of the renowned Haro Bikes, Bob has been integral to two-wheel culture for many years. Now, with his new brand ICONIX, he aims to honor the past while looking to the future. We engaged in a candid discussion with Bob, BMX innovator Ryan Taylor, and the ICONIX team about legacy, creativity, and the future of BMX.
Bob Haro is BMX royalty—the trailblazer of freestyle BMX and the creator of Haro Bikes. Now, with his new venture ICONIX, he merges his extensive legacy with a fresh perspective. Ryan Taylor, a BMX innovator and founder of Collective, joins him for a conversation about the culture, the hustle, and the future of BMX.
Having grown up in San Diego in the ‘70s, Bob recalls how motocross and skateboarding naturally led to the rise of BMX. “There was a skatepark right down the street. We’d ride our boards during the day and at night we’d throw our bikes over the fence because riders weren’t allowed. I was always more of a show-off than a racer, which eventually evolved into freestyle. It all fell into place from there.” He reminisces about the surreal moment when BMX was included in the Olympics in 2008 and Nike asked him to design the team kits. “I was in Beijing, part of a huge Nike media event with countless global outlets. Still being on stage discussing BMX? That felt like a full-circle moment.”
Ryan reflects on his own BMX path, highlighting the impact of Dave Mirra. “Honestly, it was always Dave. Dave Mirra inspired me early on. I tried to pursue a boxing career—that didn’t pan out—but looking back, even Dave was ahead of that game. Remember when he fought Brian Deegan? People forget that. He was involved in crossover events before the whole influencer boxing trend emerged.” Ryan goes on, “Dave opened my eyes to what was achievable—through the Animal House, through the skatepark. There was even a time, during what we termed the Australian Invasion, when I had the keys to the warehouse. Dave and the crew were wary of trusting many people then, but somehow I ended up with the keys. That was significant to me.”
Discussing legacy and content, Ryan notes, “Later on, I spent a lot of time with Harry Main. He emphasized the importance of online videos and the concept of legacy—content that persists beyond your existence. Then, as I engaged more in the YouTube realm, it was people like the Paul brothers. You can still find those videos—I took my bike over to their place, did a backflip over a school bus, a triple whip… To the average viewer, that’s insane. But to us? That’s just a regular Tuesday at the Animal House.”
Bob shares insights about the inception of ICONIX, “ICONIX is a project I began conceptualizing back in 2010. I started designing bikes, gear, number plates—everything from scratch. People often told me, ‘You’re an icon in the sport,’ and that inspired the name.” He admits, “The project officially launched in 2010 but was put on hold due to personal issues and tough lessons learned from sharing designs online too early. I was unfamiliar with social media back then, got overly enthusiastic, and released everything before I was prepared to follow through. Some of those ideas got copied. It was a tough lesson.” Now, with a revitalized team including longtime friend Andy Leisner and former Haro executive John Buultjens, ICONIX is set for its official launch.
“Our first model, the FS1, carries design elements that pay homage to my history,” Bob explains. “However, it’s a contemporary bike. The geometry and feel—everything about it is tailored for today’s riders.” Ryan adds, “When you’re the founder or creative force behind a brand, you end up doing everything—managing social media, accounts, logistics. It’s easy to lose sight of your strengths.” Bob concurs, “At some point, you need to step back, trust others, and let them contribute to its growth.” Ryan encapsulates it: “There’s no ego involved. This is about collaboration. ICONIX aims to uplift BMX.”
Looking forward, Bob reveals plans for a significant event this summer. “We’re organizing a collaboration with Max Cooper and the Gumball 3000 crew, set
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From the triumphs of freestyle and viral moments on YouTube to garage projects in Dubai and aspirations for the Olympics — this discussion explores the essence, challenges, and future of BMX.