About BMX Ramps

BMX ramps allow riders to perform a number of impressive stunts, some of which were once thought to be impossible on a bike. Many BMX ramps are also used by skateboarders, and a number of the ramps are designed specifically to be able to provide a solid ramp surface to both bikes and skateboards. Though a number of different styles of BMX ramps exist, the general purpose of all of the ramps is to be able to provide bike riders with a solid and well-supported surface from which to perform jumps and a number of other tricks and stunts.

  1. Function

    • BMX ramps are used to perform tricks, jumps, and other stunts using BMX and other bicycles. The ramps provide sloped surfaces for accelerating and/or jumping, flat surfaces for staging and performing tricks, and occasionally even rails or other specialized parts that are used in the performance of advanced BMX tricks. All surfaces of BMX ramps are made of materials that provide superior traction for bike tires so as to prevent potentially dangerous accidents that could result from one or both tires slipping on a slick surface.

    Types

    • A number of different types of BMX ramps exist. Some ramps are designed as one large piece that provides several flat and angled surfaces from which to perform jumps and tricks. These ramps are much more expensive, but are quite large and can by themselves provide the basis for an entire bike park. Smaller and much simpler ramps also exist, providing only one or two angled surfaces and fewer flat surfaces for staging and tricks. Portable ramps are also available which fold or disassemble in key locations for easy storage in a trailer. All hinged or separating areas of these ramps are reinforced and overlapped so as to prevent any possible accidents that might occur from an uneven seam or an unexpected separation at the joints.

    Features

    • BMX ramps feature a number of different methods for performing stunts and jumps, including ramps of different sizes or angles and larger flat areas that stationary tricks can be performed on. Depending on the size of the ramp, additional components may be included near the flat staging areas to allow for more advanced tricks. These additional components are much more likely to be present if the ramp is designed for both BMX riders and skateboarders, as skateboarders are more likely to take advantage of rails and other trick surfaces than BMX bikers are.

    Size

    • A number of different sizes and layouts of BMX ramps exist. Small ramps that are designed for simple jumps may only be 1 to 2 feet tall, while larger ramps in a half-pipe configuration may be 6 to 8 feet tall or taller and at least 15 to 20 feet long. Ramps which are designed in a full "skate park" configuration can cover quite a large area, with several different ramps and staging areas branching out in different directions from a central staging area. Custom-designed ramps also exist, with their height, width and length limited only be the designer's imagination.

    Warning

    • BMX ramps can be quite dangerous for those who have little or no experience on them. When learning to use BMX ramps it is important to start out slowly on a single ramp to get used to it, curving your ascent so that you don't even reach the very top of the ramp at first. As you become more accustomed to the ramp then you can begin practicing jumps and basic tricks. Trying to perform complex jumps and tricks with little experience can lead to serious injuries caused by falls at higher speeds, and can also present a danger to others if you are attempting to make use of a larger ramp that others are using as well.