Kickin' with Kole Voelker
Lakeside, CA native and heir to BMX legend David Voelker, Kole didn't just inherit a last name — he inherited a lifestyle. While most kids were raised on team sports, Kole was out on the bass boat, riding dirt bikes, and watching one of BMX's greats do his thing up close. That foundation gave him something you can't coach: an effortless relationship with two wheels. Now he's bringing that same fluidity to the mountain bike world aboard the INTENSE Tazer, and if his progression so far is any indication, the bike world better pay attention. The prodigy has arrived, and he's just getting started. Now lets get to know him more!
What’s up Kole. Let’s start from the top. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Lakeside, California, just east of the city of San Diego.
What got you into bikes?
I had no other option, Hahaha. Just kidding, but if you know my last name, you probably know how I got into bikes.
How did your dad’s style as a BMX legend influence you at a young age?
Some things that inspired me as a kid were him always being active. We were always out on the bass boat fishing, hiking, and riding bikes or dirt bikes at the desert, so I got to see that as a normal thing. Dad’s will tell you go to ride, but I got the luxury of watching and learning from the best, haha.
Does your dad ride MTB?
Yeah, he loves mtb e-bikes to be exact, haha. He tells everyone that he meets that they need one, Haha.
What inspired you to get on an MTB?
It’s kind of funny. Me and my buddies saw that snow Summit gives out free lift tickets on your birthday, and my birthday is in the summer. My dad had an old GT mountain bike at the house so I told them let’s get an Airbnb and go rip. All my buddies rented bikes, and I brought that bike up there. We got about halfway down the first lap and couldn’t stop smiling. We all said the same thing. “This is the funniest thing we’ve ever done!”
When it comes to big bikes, you’ve only really been seen riding e-bikes, or at least it seems that’s what you prefer? How come?
Yes, I have only had E bikes so I don’t know any different. It’s just what’s comfortable to me and I have a little bit of a Moto background so the weight of it feels pretty comfortable every time I’ve jumped on a regular bike it kind of just feels weird.
How are you liking the TAZER? What sort of riding characteristics does it carry that you notice?
The Tazer feels amazing and no wonder it won Loam wolf Trail eMTB of the year. As soon as I jumped on it, I knew I was gonna love it. That thing moves around and by the second session it felt like my bike. It’s a very nimble E-bike for it being full power. I don’t even notice the weight.
What are some of your favorite places to ride it?
Some of my favorite places to ride is my buddy Paul’s trails super fun jumps. I also like this trail we call Walmart in Lakeside. Everyone I bring their hate it but it’s my favorite trail ever.
You’ve been traveling a ton, popping up in a lot of different BMX edits. What are some of the best places you’ve travelled so far in 2026?
I have been traveling a ton in 2026. I’ve ticked off four new countries and traveled around the states a ton as well. I’d have to say the most interesting and best place to ride my bike was probably Slovakia. The food was great and the riding was even better. Not many people have been there so it was pretty wide open meaning you don’t have to worry about dealing with tricks that have already been done on spots.
Any plans to take the eMTB to the streets?
Yes, I plan on taking the mountain bike to the streets as well. I see stuff every single day and now that I am working with the brand like INTENSE that has such an awesome marketing guy that doubles as a filmer and it’s a plus he doesn’t live too far from me, so I think we’ll be able to get some good stuff.
Who is your favorite BMX to MTB crossover rider?
The first BMX crossover that comes to mind is Christian Rigal. I like that he doesn’t focus too much on tricks he more just makes riding the bike look fun and good and that’s what I like to go for as well.
Any suggestions for kids out there trying to come up in the bike world?
The only thing I can say to the Groms is keep it fun as soon as it’s not fun go back to whatever was fun because it shows in your riding.
