Help Restore Raytown BMX After Multiple Thefts

For nearly 30 years, Raytown BMX has hosted tens of thousands of BMX racers and cycling enthusiasts. Tucked behind a residential Kansas City neighborhood on property owned by the Raytown School District, Raytown BMX has played a powerful yet unassuming role in training both recreational and elite pro riders. Many of the nation's top racers proudly call Raytown BMX their home track, and some have gone on to successfully compete at the world championship level. But no matter the level of competition any rider chooses to pursue, Raytown BMX is proud to support the athletic, personal, and professional growth of every individual who comes to our facility.

Today, Raytown BMX is an independent nonprofit organization (formally established in 2022) managed by a small yet mighty team of volunteers. Keeping an all-volunteer facility running and thriving is a significant feat, and definitely not a task for the easily-wearied. At Raytown BMX, we believe work is love made visible, and we choose to show how much we care about the cycling community by doing whatever it takes to provide a beautiful, challenging, cutting-edge, nationally respected track for all those who wish to put wheels on it.

But love and hard work aren't always enough to weather every challenge.

In 2024, our facility was robbed four separate times–most recently just a few days ago, shortly before Christmas. In summer 2024, our storage units were broken into twice and we lost bikes, bike stands, and facility management equipment like leaf blowers, weed whackers, and a four-wheeler. Then in a highly suspicious October break in, thieves took only items used for racing and practicing (the ram, gate control box, starting lights, and speakers) but left other items of far greater monetary value. And then this week, our entire fleet of loaner bikes was taken which means families and riders who cannot afford bikes but want to participate in BMX no longer have a low bar to entry. Half our track-owned helmets and gear were also stolen so riders are less likely to find loaner safety equipment that fits properly–and without this equipment, people cannot partake in racing or practicing. On top of all this, our new mower was stolen, which means we now have to figure how to keep nearly three acres of grass under control so racers, families, grandparents, and other visitors with mobility needs can access the facility safely and without obstruction.

We may never know what the thieves were thinking when they committed these crimes, but we know the harm they've done extends much farther than the facility fence line.

The Raytown BMX Board estimates the track has suffered approximately $20,000 in theft-related losses. Needless to say, 2024 has not been kind to Raytown BMX. We need help–and this is where you can make a difference.

Our most immediate financial needs center on three things:

Every cent we receive through Go Fund Me will go towards ensuring we have the items needed to make BMX as accessible as possible, and to securing track assets and thwarting future theft. You can trust that your donations will directly result in rider accessibility and safety, facility security, and sporting improvements.

We know the work ahead of us will be challenging and costly. But what we know with greater certainty is that TOGETHER we can keep Raytown BMX strong and vibrant by leaning into community, mutual aid, and shared investment in a place that brings happiness to so many people in Kansas City and beyond. Thank you for caring about Raytown BMX so we can continue taking care of the people who walk through our gates.

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NOTE: The Raytown BMX Board understands that monetary donations may not be possible for everyone who wants to help the track get back on its feet. If you prefer to offer an in-kind donation (BMX bikes, BMX helmets, mowers, four wheelers, leaf blowers, internet and security services, or even admin items needed for racing like printers, computers, etc.), please reach out to Nate Jonjevic, Raytown BMX Track Operator, via the Raytown BMX Facebook page (FB Messenger is best).