How to Build a Backyard Ramp

A backyard BMX ramp is usually a small quarter pipe or a kicker built from timber and plywood. You cut two curved side panels to the shape of the transition, fix timber ribs between them, and bend sheets of plywood over the ribs to make the riding surface. A small, well braced ramp on flat ground is the safest place to start.

This guide covers planning and building a simple ramp. It gives common, conservative approaches, not engineered plans. If you are not confident with power tools, get help from someone who is.

Before you build

Check your council and your neighbours

In Australia, backyard structures are controlled by state planning rules and your local council. Each state lists some minor structures that can be built without approval if they meet size, height and setback limits, but a skate ramp may not fit neatly into those categories, and noise can also matter. Check your council website or call them before building anything large or permanent. Talk to your neighbours too. Ramps are loud, and goodwill keeps a backyard spot alive.

Choose the ramp type

Ramp	What it does	Good for	Build difficulty
Kicker (launch ramp)	Sends you up and off the end	Airs, learning jumps, landing on flat	Easiest
Quarter pipe	Takes you up and back down the same way	Transitions, airs, stalls	Moderate
Box jump	Kicker, flat deck and landing	Jumps with a proper landing	Harder
Mini ramp	Two quarter pipes facing each other	Back and forth riding	Hardest, needs lots of space

For a first build, a kicker or a small quarter pipe is the sensible choice.

Pick a size you can actually ride

Small ramps are more useful than big ones in a backyard. A tall ramp needs a long run up, a lot of space and more skill. A knee to waist height ramp with a gentle curve suits most riders and most yards.

The key measurements are:

• Height: how tall the ramp is at the top.
• Radius: the size of the circle the curve is drawn from. A larger radius makes a mellower, slower curve.
• Width: how wide the riding surface is. Wider is more forgiving.

A common rule of thumb is to make the radius larger than the height, so the ramp does not end in a steep vertical section. Riders who want vert can build that later.

Materials and tools

Materials

• Timber framing: outdoor rated timber such as treated pine for ribs and supports.
• Plywood for the sides: thick exterior grade sheets, cut to the curve.
• Plywood for the surface: thinner exterior grade sheets that bend over the curve, usually laid in two layers.
• Screws: exterior or galvanised screws long enough to bite well into the framing.
• Optional top layer: a dedicated ramp surface sheet for smoother, longer lasting riding.
• Optional coping: a steel pipe along the top edge of a quarter pipe for grinds and stalls.

Tools

• Jigsaw or circular saw
• Drill and driver
• Tape measure, pencil and a long straight edge
• String and a nail or screw for drawing curves
• Clamps
• Safety glasses, hearing protection and gloves

Exact sheet thicknesses and screw sizes depend on your ramp size and the products available. Follow the timber supplier's guidance for outdoor use and ask at the hardware counter if you are unsure.

How to draw the transition template

The curve on the side panels is the most important part of the ramp. A smooth curve rides well. A lumpy one feels bad and can throw you off.

1. Lay a full sheet of side plywood flat. Work on a clean, flat surface.
2. Mark the toe. Mark the point on the bottom edge where the curve will meet the ground. This is the front of the ramp.
3. Find the pivot point. The centre of the curve sits directly above the toe, one radius up. If the radius is bigger than the sheet is tall, the pivot will be off the sheet, so clamp a scrap board in place to hold it.
4. Tie the string. Fix one end of a non stretch string to the pivot with a nail or screw. Tie a pencil at the radius length.
5. Draw the arc. Keep the string tight and swing the pencil from the toe upwards. Stop when the curve reaches the ramp height. Free online transition calculators can tell you how long the base will be for a chosen height and radius.
6. Add the deck and back. Mark a flat top (the deck) and a straight back edge.
7. Cut carefully. Cut just outside the line, then sand back to it.
8. Use the first side as a template. Trace it onto the second sheet so both sides match exactly.

For a kicker, the curve usually starts flat at the ground and ends at a gentle lip angle. Keep the lip mellow for your first build.

How to build a small quarter pipe

1. Cut both side panels. Make sure they match.
2. Cut the ribs. Cut timber cross pieces to the ramp width.
3. Fix the ribs between the sides. Screw ribs along the curve at close, even spacing. Closer spacing gives a stiffer surface. Add ribs at the bottom edge, the top and the back for strength.
4. Brace the frame. Add diagonal or vertical supports at the back so the ramp cannot rack (lean sideways).
5. Build the deck. Add a flat platform at the top if your design has one, framed and covered like the rest of the ramp.
6. Lay the first surface layer. Start at the bottom and bend each sheet over the ribs, screwing into every rib.
7. Lay the second layer. Stagger the joins so they do not line up with the first layer.
8. Fit a smooth bottom edge. The ramp should meet the ground with no lip. A thin metal or tapered plywood strip helps.
9. Fit coping if you want it. Fix it securely at the top so it cannot move. Follow the coping supplier's instructions.
10. Check every screw. Countersink screw heads flush or slightly below the surface so nothing catches a tyre or a shoe.

Surfacing and weatherproofing

• Seal outdoor ramps. Paint or seal the timber and keep the ramp off wet ground. Bricks or pavers under the frame help.
• Cover it. A tarp keeps the surface dry between sessions.
• Do not ride it wet. Wet plywood is very slippery.
• Replace soft spots. If the surface feels spongy or splits, replace that sheet before it fails.

Safety

• Wear a helmet every session. See the BMX helmet guide and protective gear.
• Leave space. Keep a clear run up and a clear area beyond the ramp, away from fences, walls, windows, pools and paths.
• Ride on flat, firm ground. A ramp on a slope can shift.
• Check the ramp before riding. Look for loose screws, cracked timber and wobble.
• Keep it small at first. Build bigger only once you can ride the small one with control.
• Supervise younger riders.

Related

• Quarter pipe
• Transition
• Backyard jam
• Park riding