DIY Bike Ramps

Bicycling continues to grow in popularity. According to the League of American Bicyclists, nearly 60 million Americans regularly ride bicycles of some sort. BMX bikes are one of the more popular types of bicycles and most BMX riders focus on getting air and performing impressive tricks. A bike ramp can be used for tricks -- a basic bike jump is made of a launch ramp and a landing ramp -- or for loading bikes onto a vehicle, to transport to different places such as an exhibition. You can build a basic bike ramp with basic materials and by following a few simple steps.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 sheet of plywood
  • Chainsaw
  • Drill
  • Screws
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut two horizontal plywood supports. The size of supports you need depends on how wide you want the ramp to be, as these supports sit horizontally across the bottom of the ramp.

    • 2

      Cut two vertical plywood supports. Cut these supports into a triangular shape, as they give the ramp the angled shape and provide the main support for the ramp.

    • 3

      Cut the ramp surface piece from plywood. This is the main piece for the ramp and you must consider the size of your bike before cutting. There should be ample room to fit a full bike tire so it will be as least awkward as possible trying to balance the bike up the ramp afterward. There is a simple mathematical formula you can use to determine accurate measurements for your ramp surface piece. Add the squared measurements of height and length of your ramp. The root number of this figure is the length you need cut for your surface piece.

    • 4

      Put the cut pieces together. Sit the horizontal supports down, lay the vertical supports parallel to each other, in a vertical position from the horizontal supports and lay the surface piece down on top of the supports.

    • 5

      Drill the screws into the ramp, one into each corner of the ramp to secure the surface piece to the supports. Your ramp is now finished and ready for using as part of a jump or to transport your bicycle.