On a recent Saturday, more than 100 scooter-riders turned the Museum Campus into an exhibition space for their best tricks. The Chicago Scooter Jam emerged as part of Thrasher Weekend, a two-day celebration of skate and scooter culture named for the magazine hosting it the weekend of July 12. Across the South Loop, people of all ages sized up big rails and huge sets of stairs, looking to fulfill airborne ambitions.
On the surface, it might not seem like scooter riding could turn high-octane, but spectators were pleasantly surprised at the ways these athletes use their two wheels to expand and diversify action sports. From the steps of the Field Museum to the docks of Northerly Island, riders found new obstacles to test their tricks on.
Trevor Monahan, was one of the most engaged riders at this event (and one of the few wearing a helmet).
“I’ve been doing it for eight years and I’ve never gotten bored once,” Monahan said. “There is always a new trick to learn and a new obstacle at the skatepark to ride. It’s an even better time when you get your homies to do it with you.”
Some attendees traveled from out of state to participate in the scooter jam.
“This jam honestly is just a testament to how big scootering is starting to become,” said rider Cyrus Anderson, who traveled from Minnesota to attend for the second year in a row. “More people keep coming every single year.”
A scooter rider grinds down the rail in front of the Field Museum. 
A scooter rider initiates a bar spin while clearing a set of steps at the museum campus. 
The look of success after riding down a set of steps, holding on through each bump. 
Scooter riders take turns grinding down the rail on the ramp to the docks at Northerly Island.
Much like skateboarding culture, the scooter culture largely spreads via trick videos shared online. Anderson credits OHLAY Brand, an online publication dedicated to scootering, for introducing him to the jam with videos from past years. Last year’s recap video of the jam racked up 10,000 views.
Despite the growing popularity of the event and the occasional injury, police are tolerant. “We appreciate the lack of trying to stop this event,” said Busty, a Jam organizer. “If they have a problem with it, I would understand. The action sports community is traditionally kind of reckless, a little bit… But I haven’t gotten any resistance from the city of Chicago.’”
The jam is “one of the most incredible things that I choose to do with my time,” Busty added. “It’s an incredible experience and we all look forward to every year.”
Jordan Esparza-Kelley is a photojournalist covering the arts, culture and social movements in Chicago.