One of Australia's most iconic BMX brands. CassapBMX began way back in early 1981 when a 17-year-old kid had an idea and a dream.
It was 1978 when a Steven Cassap first laid eyes on a BMX bike. A keen motocross rider, he and his mates soon fell in love with BMX bikes, making jumps in back yards and parking lots, simply hanging out and having fun. Steven took up racing when the first BMX tracks appeared in Victoria, but it wasn’t being on the track that got him attention - instead, it was what he was doing off the track that did.
Freestyle BMX riding had not officially been invented yet. Originally known as “trick-riding”, Cassap had a natural ability to launch his bike and do amazing aerial tricks. These tricks soon caught the eyes of the publications that were now multiplying and looking for anything new they could write about or feature. Although Steve didn’t realise it at the time, he was pioneering and leading the way in Freestyle riding in Australia.
At the same time as his trick riding career was taking off, Steve was already quite the entrepreneur. “In June 1978, I purchased my first BMX magazine and noticed some riders had custom style number plates on their bikes (backgrounds & numbers) so I started tricking up the old motorcycle plates we had on our bikes with contact vinyl, just for fun.”
He soon realised there was a huge market in number plates. At just 17 years of age, and a small amount of cash, Cassap began producing custom made number plates - all made by hand - on his bedroom floor. He cleverly handed them out to many of the top pro riders who were quickly seen sporting his unique designs - and sales took off.
Moving forward and to assist in promoting his products, Steven began doing freestyle shows in carparks and shopping centres, major BMX race meetings, and even scored feature spots on ABC prime time television shows. He sponsored his own BMX Race Team, and in 1983 he joined Bob Haro as the first internationally sponsored Haro Freestyle rider. Later he was sponsored by GT Bikes and toured the USA & Australia with riders such as Eddie Fiola, Martin Aparijo, Josh White and Adam Jung.
The CassapBMX brand quickly became an Aussie BMX icon with his plates being used by World Champions and countless Pro riders. Hugely popular throughout the 1980s, Steven’s designs were unique and innovative and his fold-over strap design would go on to be copied by some of the world’s largest international brands.
Steven Cassap was inducted into the Victorian BMX Hall Of Fame in 1993 and was inducted into the Australian BMX Hall Of Fame in 2019 as the very first Freestyle rider and first Industry icon.
Australian BMX Hall of Fame
Steve Cassap was inducted into the Australian BMX Hall of Fame in 2019 as the very first Freestyle rider and first Industry Icon.
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Victorian BMX Hall of Fame
Steve Cassap was inducted into the Victorian BMX Hall of Fame in 1993.
BMX Victoria Hall of Fame 1993