Twelve-year-old Schenectady rider inspires millions on Instagram

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10)—A 12-year-old boy, born and raised in Schenectady, has taken Instagram by storm. With his bike trick videos, he’s garnered millions of followers on social media and a professional sponsor.

Julio Santana III is better known as @BabyDBlocks. His Father, Julio Santana II, noticed his son's skill and passion for bikes early on and started his social media page when he was four years old.

“We keep his page positive. I don't put nothing negative on there. I control his page," Sanatana II said. "In a negative way, it'll work. People love negativity, but it's not going to work forever. And I've seen it plenty of times.“

Sanatana is a sponsored rider for the company SE Bikes and a Guinness World Record holder. He's in the books for the most balloons burst while performing a wheelie on an electric minibike in 30 seconds.

“I didn't know I was going to pop all of them in one go," Santana III said. "And I was screaming into my helmet.”

The young rider has one of the largest social media followings in the Capital Region, with 1.6 million followers. Baby D Blocks and his dad often travel worldwide for events and bike giveaways, everywhere, from Puerto Rico to Italy. Along the way, the father-son team prioritizes giving back and motivating others to pursue their dreams.

"Locally, I noticed that a lot of kids in the [Schenectady] don’t have opportunities to leave the city. So we built the bus, and in the bus, we can take about 5, 6 kids."

Santana III rides daily to hone his skills, practicing tricks and staying on a wheelie for long periods. He loves to ride, but his favorite memory is going to Jaimaca to hand out bikes in underprivileged communities.

“With his heart, I know he is going to be able to bring a circle with him to change their lives," Santana II said. “As long as he has delightful memories. If he wants to stop next week, I’ll support him regardless of what happens.”

Baby D Blocks said his message to kids inspired by his journey is “just don’t give up and keep pushing yourself.”