How to Build a BMX Bike Ramp

In the sport of BMX (bicycle motocross), ramps have played a major role in progressing the limits of what is possible for riders to achieve on a bike. From small backyard mini ramps to 15-foot-tall ramps used by professional athletes in competition, bike ramps have become an integral part of the sport. Many riders find the construction of these ramps to be almost as exciting as riding itself, which is why there are several tools and resources available on how to build ramps of all shapes and sizes.

Things You'll Need

  • Circular saw
  • Measuring tape
  • 6 feet of fishing line
  • Power drill
  • 4 3/4-inch 4-by-8 sheets plywood
  • 42 12-foot 2-by-4 sheets plywood
  • 20 3/8-inch sheets plywood
  • 1,000-count box 1.5-inch screws
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the height of the ramp that you want to construct. This project creates a ramp about 3.5 feet tall.

    • 2

      Place two of the ¾ sheets of plywood on the ground side by side to form a square. This structure will serve as a template to use when creating the support walls for the transition of the ramp. You will be able to cut out two walls out of each piece of plywood for a total of four walls.

    • 3

      Measure 12 3/4 inches in and 3 ½ inches up from the bottom left corner of the lower sheet of plywood with the measuring tape. Mark this point with a pencil. Measure 64 inches up from the mark and insert a screw into the board. This point will be referred to as the anchor point. Tie the fishing line to the screw. Attach the pencil to the other end of the fishing line. Pull the fishing line taut from your anchor point. Use the attached pencil to draw a line outward. Your line will form a fourth of a circle to the right of the anchor point. This structure is the first wall of your ramp that you will use as a template for the other three walls.

    • 4

      Cut out the first wall using a circular saw. Flip the piece of plywood over. Place the template on the remaining part of the uncut wood. Use the circular saw to cut out the next wall. Repeat this step on the second piece of plywood to cut out two more walls.

    • 5

      Cut all of the 2-by-4s in half using a circular saw. These pieces will be the joists of the ramp, which serve as the foundation or supporting features of the structure. The 2-by-4s will be the connecting pieces between the four walls that you have cut out. The pieces should all have the narrow two-inch side facing the transition (the section of the ramp that you will be riding up).

    • 6

      Use the tape measure and pencil to measure and mark off eight-inch increments on one of the walls that you cut out before. Start from one end of the board, move up the curved section of the wall to the other end of the board. Lay this board down on the other three walls, one at a time, to mark off eight-inch increments that match the measurements marked on the other walls.

    • 7

      Line up a 2-by-4 that you cut in half previously with an eight-inch increment mark measured on one of the walls. Drill two screws into each end of the plywood to securely attach it to the wall. Drill one screw into the top and bottom edges at each end of the plywood. Two screws should connect the plywood at each eight-inch increment mark. Repeat this step for all of the eight-inch increment marks you measured. Once all of the pieces of the 2-by-4s have been attached to one wall, attach the other ends of the plywood to a second wall using this same method. You will have a free-standing structure after this step is complete.

    • 8

      Use the remaining halved 2-by-4s to construct the other half of the bike ramp. You will connect the halved 2-by-4s between the remaining two wall pieces by drilling screws through the edges of each 2-by-4 into the walls as you did before. Line up the two bike ramps side by side. Connect the ramps by drilling 10 screws through the two aligned walls at different positions along the walls. Ensure that the walls and joists are lined up well before bolting the two ramps together.

    • 9

      Measure 48 inches from the top of the ramp down the transition. Attach an additional 2-by-4 (joist) at this point to ensure a more secure riding environment. Repeat this step on the other half of the joined ramp. You can use the remaining 2-by-4s to add more joists to the ramp for stability. The length of the ramp can also be extended with the 2-by-4s.

    • 10

      Place the plywood sheets lengthwise across the joists of the connected ramps. Drill at least five screws per sheet of plywood into the underlying joists. You should use more screws if the plywood sheet does not feel secure. Use two overlapping sheets of plywood per each section of the ramp for added security. Replace the overlying plywood sheets as they wear out over time.