Wheelie Wizards

Lighter, smaller, and more nimble than motorcycles, dirt bikes can tackle rough terrain. People ride them on unpaved roads, hilly trails, motocross parks, and more. But in Baltimore, many riders have been known to hit the pavement.

Former engineer Brittany Young grew up watching dirt bike riders take to city streets during the summer, popping wheelies on asphalt and performing daring tricks that captivated crowds. Riders who practiced these tricks earned Baltimore its bragging rights as the world’s dirt bike capital. Behind the scenes, however, Young saw a different skill set: These riders were homegrown mechanics and engineers who knew how to build, repair, and customize bikes. To Young, they were STEM geniuses.

But dangerous riding practices led to deaths, serious injuries, and clashes with police. This caused Baltimore officials to outlaw riding on city streets in 2000. Later, the city passed a law that made owning dirt bikes illegal altogether. (Dirt bikes are still legal outside city limits.)

Still, Baltimore’s love for dirt bikes endured. Young looked for a solution that could change policies, educate the community, and get people to see the same science, technology, engineering, and mathematics benefits of dirt bikes that she saw. “People are not going to stop riding. So how do we put things in place where riding becomes safer and people want to be safer when they do it?” Young says.

Riding dirt bikes can get rough. The bikes are lighter, smaller, and more nimble than motorcycles. People ride them on unpaved roads, hilly trails, and more. But that can lead to serious accidents. In Baltimore, considered the dirt bike capital, of the world many riders have gotten hurt.

Brittany Young is a former engineer from Baltimore. She grew up watching dirt bike riders take to the streets during summer. Riders popped wheelies and performed daring tricks that wowed the crowds. But behind the scenes, Young saw them demonstrate a different set of skills. These riders knew how to build, repair, and customize their own bikes. Young thought of them as brilliant young mechanics and engineers.

Unfortunately, dangerous riding practices have resulted in serious injuries and even deaths. This caused Baltimore officials to outlaw riding on city streets in 2000. Later, the city made it illegal even to own a dirt bike. (Dirt bikes are still legal outside city limits.)

But people in Baltimore still loved dirt bikes. Young wanted to find a way to change policies, educate people, and get everyone excited about the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics involved in riding dirt bikes. “People are not going to stop riding,” says Young. “So how do we put things in place where riding becomes safer and people want to be safer when they do it?”

In 2017, Young founded B-360, an organization that uses the city’s love of dirt bikes to teach rider safety and engage youth—particularly students of color—in STEM fields. People who are Black, Hispanic, and Latine are underrepresented in these careers. According to a recent analysis by the Pew Research Center, Black and Hispanic adults are less likely to work in or earn college degrees in STEM than in any other field.

The organization has since worked with the city to safely engage more than 8,000 students throughout the Baltimore area, hosting different kinds of dirt-biking workshops. Some workshops highlight engineering skills like 3-D printing and making prototypes with laser cutters, which use a thin focused laser beam to etch and cut materials like wood or plastic. Other workshops have lessons on repairing bikes and making plastic polymers that can be used to build dirt bike parts.

Local dirt bike riders also joined the team as instructors. They teach students the importance of safety, such as wearing helmets and protective gear while riding. They also coach students to perform tricks in areas designated by B-360. In another workshop, these instructors help students craft blueprints of their dream bikes, transforming 2-D designs into 3-D models.

Riding dirt bikes can get rough. The bikes are lighter, smaller, and more nimble than motorcycles. People ride them on unpaved roads, hilly trails, and more. But that can lead to serious accidents. In Baltimore, considered the dirt bike capital, of the world many riders have gotten hurt.

Brittany Young is a former engineer from Baltimore. She grew up watching dirt bike riders take to the streets during summer. Riders popped wheelies and performed daring tricks that wowed the crowds. But behind the scenes, Young saw them demonstrate a different set of skills. These riders knew how to build, repair, and customize their own bikes. Young thought of them as brilliant young mechanics and engineers.

Unfortunately, dangerous riding practices have resulted in serious injuries and even deaths. This caused Baltimore officials to outlaw riding on city streets in 2000. Later, the city made it illegal even to own a dirt bike. (Dirt bikes are still legal outside city limits.)

But people in Baltimore still loved dirt bikes. Young wanted to find a way to change policies, educate people, and get everyone excited about the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics involved in riding dirt bikes. “People are not going to stop riding,” says Young. “So how do we put things in place where riding becomes safer and people want to be safer when they do it?”

Young says it’s been exciting to engage people using a pastime that they already love, and the community has taken notice. Dirt biking is still illegal for adults in Baltimore, but politicians have embraced B-360’s efforts to celebrate the city’s dirt bike culture safely. The government has been considering creating a dirt bike park in the city, though there are no concrete plans yet. The city is also working with B-360 to allow events for kids interested in learning about dirt bikes. Last summer, Baltimore’s B&O Railroad Museum offered one of its lots to B-360 so that students could have a safe space to ride.

Young and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office also created a program that allows people with nonviolent offenses related to speeding or dirt bikes to complete training with B-360 to have their cases dismissed.

Young says it’s been exciting to teach people about STEM using a pastime that they already love. The community has noticed her efforts too. Dirt biking is still illegal for adults in Baltimore. But politicians have embraced B-360’s efforts to celebrate the city’s dirt bike culture safely. The government is now considering creating a dirt bike park in the city. Officials are also working with B-360 to allow events for kids who want to learn about dirt bikes. Last summer, the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore offered one of its lots to B-360. That gave students a safe space to ride.

Young has also worked with the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office to help people who have been arrested for dirt biking. They can complete training with B-360 to have their cases dismissed.

Treasure Trimble, 14, joined B-360’s program in April 2021. She says she’s learned the value of teamwork and critical thinking involved in dirt bike riding. “You definitely have to have patience—not only working on your bike and learning the bike, but how to ride the bike,” Treasure says.

Her twin brother Tristan says he’s enjoyed learning dirt biking, including how to fuel up. “Math is really incorporated in riding dirt bikes—not only when you build an engine, but you’ve got to put oil and gas in the tank, so you have to know your ratio of gas-to-oil,” he says. Tricks, like pulling the bike’s front wheel to a 12 o’clock position—a signature move for Baltimore dirt bike riders—also involve mental calculations on speed and balance, he adds.

Much of this work is just the tip of the iceberg for B-360. Young plans to open a physical space in Baltimore that will be a future home base. “There’s still a lot of work to do,” Young says, but the program has made a lot of progress. “Things will only keep getting better,” she adds

Treasure Trimble is 14. She joined B-360’s program in April 2021. She says dirt biking has helped her learn the value of teamwork and critical thinking. “You definitely have to have patience—not only working on your bike and learning the bike, but how to ride the bike,” she says.

Treasure’s twin brother Tristan is also involved with B-360. He says he’s enjoyed learning about dirt biking, including how to fuel up. “Math is really incorporated in riding dirt bikes,” he explains. “You’ve got to put oil and gas in the tank, so you have to know your ratio of gas-to-oil,” he says. Certain tricks also involve mental calculations on speed and balance, he adds. Baltimore dirt bikers’ signature move is balancing on the back tire while the front tire points straight into the air!

This work is just the tip of the iceberg for B-360, according to Young. She plans to open a physical space in Baltimore that will be the program’s home base. “There’s still a lot of work to do,” Young says, but she’s made a lot of progress. “Things will only keep getting better,” she adds.