Evel Knievel

A showman on two wheels

Robert Craig Knievel grew up in Butte, Montana, and became famous as Evel Knievel, a motorcycle daredevil who jumped over lines of cars, trucks and buses in the late 1960s and 1970s. His white leather jumpsuits, capes and showmanship made him a pop culture icon, with toys and televised jumps watched by huge audiences.

Famous jumps and crashes

On December 31, 1967, he attempted to jump the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and crashed badly on landing, suffering serious injuries. The footage made him a household name. In 1974 he attempted to cross Idaho's Snake River Canyon in a steam-powered rocket called the Skycycle; the parachute opened early and he drifted to the canyon floor.

The cost

Knievel was listed by Guinness World Records for the most bones broken in a lifetime. His career shows both the appeal of daredevil shows and their real human cost. Modern motorsport stunts rely on engineering, ramps designed by specialists, and safety crews.

Modern stunts are different

Today's motorsport stunt teams use computer modelling for ramp angles and speeds, purpose-built landing ramps, protective gear, and medical crews at every event. Freestyle motocross riders compete in events with set judging and safety rules, and stunt coordinators in film plan every jump with specialists. Knievel's era showed the crowd appeal of daredevil jumps; modern practice focuses on reducing the risks he took.

Legacy

Knievel inspired later generations of freestyle motocross riders and stunt performers, and his son Robbie also performed jumps. A museum dedicated to him has operated in Topeka, Kansas. He died in 2007.

Professionals, don't try this: these athletes train for years with coaches, safety systems and spotters. Start at a supervised gym or club and progress slowly.

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