How to Make a Ramp for a Bike

If you would like to add some excitement to your daily bike riding routine, you can build a bike ramp. Bike ramps add some entertainment to your daily exercise and can attract the interest and admiration of other bike riders in the neighborhood. When built properly, bike ramps are sturdy and relatively safe. Bike ramps can be built in a range of launch degrees; the steeper the launch degree, the higher the angle the bike will leave the ramp.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sheet of 3/4-inch plywood Tape measure Pencil Circular saw Drill with circle cutter attachment 2 4-foot-by-1/2-inch metal posts Hammer Six decorative bricks with holes

Instructions

1. Buy one sheet of 3/4-inch-thick plywood. If your local hardware store does not have 3/4-inch-thick plywood in stock, you may substitute 1/2-inch-thick plywood, but your ramp will not be as sturdy. Plywood sheets are quite large, so you may need a flatbed truck or large SUV to transport the plywood home.

2. Using a tape measure and pencil, measure and mark off a section of plywood no larger than 3 feet by 4 feet. Be sure to measure twice to ensure that your original measurements are correct and that the cut lines you drew are straight.

3. Using a circular saw with a reliable safety guide, follow the cut lines you drew on the plywood. Be sure to follow the lines as closely as possible as your bike ramp is going to require a flush, flat edge.

4. Using your drill with a 3/4-inch circle cutter attachment, drill two holes 3 inches from the top of the edge of the plywood board. The space between the drilled holes should be 24 inches. Make sure your 1/2-inch metal rods can easily slide through the holes you drilled in the plywood sheet.

5. Find an area with firmly packed soil and plenty of room for your bike to gain speed. You are going to want to arrange your ramp in an open area with firmly packed soil for the added sturdiness. Make sure you have plenty of open space for your bike to gain speed as you approach the ramp. Once you have found the perfect area, hammer the two metal posts into the ground at least 2 feet deep and exactly 24 inches apart.

6. Using the metal posts as a guide, feed three decorative bricks down the shaft of each post so they rest on top of one another and the edges are flush. Once the bricks are in, place the plywood sheet on top, making sure to feed the metal posts through the holes in the plywood.

7. Once the ramp is in place, do several safety checks to ensure that it will not collapse under the weight of the bike. The metal posts should be firmly planted in the ground, and the plywood should be secured by the metal posts. If the ramp does not feel sturdy, be sure to make all appropriate adjustments before using it.

Tips & Warnings

• Falling off your bike while going off a ramp is not uncommon. Learn how to fall off your bike gracefully without injuring yourself. Always make sure your head is protected and that your arms and legs are close to your body. This position prevents awkward landings that can lead to broken bones.
• Wear all appropriate safety gear while riding your bike. Riding your bike off a bike ramp greatly increases your chance for falling off your bike and your chance of injury. Always wear a helmet. You may also wish to wear elbow and knee pads in an effort to avoid nasty road rash injuries. Make sure your landing zone is level and free of all other loose impediments that may damage your bike or potentially cause a fall.

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