Joe Johnson: The Quiet Pioneer Who Changed BMX Forever

In the pantheon of BMX legends, some names are shouted from rooftops—others, like Joe Johnson, are spoken with reverence by those who truly know the sport’s roots. A rider from Massachusetts who carved his name into BMX history not with fanfare, but with innovation and style, Joe Johnson is best known for doing something no one else had done before: landing the first tailwhip air on a vert ramp.

🌱 Early Life and Entry into BMX

Born and raised in New England, Joe Johnson’s BMX journey began like many others—riding local ramps, building quarterpipes against his mom’s house, and pushing the limits of what was possible in his backyard. His father, Len Johnson, was a professional strongman, and Joe inherited not just his competitive spirit but also a deep drive to excel. BMX was exploding in the early ’80s, and Joe was part of the second wave of riders inspired by the pioneers of freestyle. He quickly rose through the ranks of the local vert scene, catching the attention of major sponsors.

🚴 Sponsors and Rise to Fame

Joe’s talent and style earned him a spot on the prestigious Haro team in 1986, a dream gig for any BMXer at the time. Haro was the gold standard, and Joe fit right in with his explosive airs and stretched variations. After Haro, he rode independently for a time, often alongside Dennis McCoy, another icon of the era. Later, he joined GT Bicycles, continuing to push the boundaries of vert riding.

🔥 The Tailwhip Revolution

Joe Johnson’s most enduring legacy is the tailwhip air. While the concept had been floated by riders like Mike Dominguez, it was Joe who made it real. In 1988, after months of experimenting in a warehouse in Europe and countless attempts back home, he landed the trick at the AFA Masters in Wayne, New Jersey. It wasn’t perfect—one foot on the frame, one on the pedal—but it was enough to ignite a revolution. The crowd didn’t even know what they were seeing. But when Freestylin’ Magazine published the photo, the BMX world changed overnight.

Joe didn’t stop there. He went on to land double tailwhip airs and even attempted a triple tailwhip at a Woodward contest in 1989. Though he crashed, the attempt alone was enough to stun the crowd and cement his status as a visionary.

🎥 Video Sections and Style

Joe’s riding was featured in numerous contest videos and magazine spreads throughout the late ’80s. His style was unmistakable—high airs, stretched tricks, and a technical finesse that made everything look effortless. Riders who saw him at events like the Manchester Worlds were blown away by how far he could stretch a trick and still land perfectly on the ramp’s lip.

Though he wasn’t as prolific in video parts as some of his contemporaries, his influence was felt in every rider who picked up a bike and tried a tailwhip. His contributions were recently revisited in a podcast episode that dove deep into his career, his mindset, and his impact on the sport.

🎓 Life After BMX

In 1991, Joe made a quiet exit from the BMX spotlight. He left GT and returned to school full-time to study mechanical engineering. While he faded from the contest scene, his legacy never did. The tailwhip became a staple of BMX—on vert, dirt, and street—and every rider who throws one owes a nod to Joe Johnson.

💡 Fun Facts and Legacy

• Joe built his own quarterpipe against his house and mastered it before hitting the big ramps.

• He was known for airing to the right, which made his tailwhips hard to see for crowds seated on the left side of contests.

• He placed second in pro vert at the 1988 AFA Masters, right behind Ron Wilkerson.

• His innovation inspired riders like Mat Hoffman, who would go on to push BMX into the stratosphere.

Joe Johnson // Portland AFA Masters // 1988

AFA Masters Joe Johnson 1988 Ohio Ramps - Tailwhip Air Inventor

Joe Johnson - Episode 32 - The Union Tapes Podcast