How-To: Adjustable kids’ bike jump

Bikes Fun & Games
How-To: Adjustable kids’ bike jump

kidsbikeramp.jpg

Insructables user murphtron writes:

My son started riding a 16″ bike at 4 years old without training wheels. (He was first on a push bike without training wheels or pedals at about 3 1/2.) One day he decided to build a jump in the back yard. So he found a piece of 2 x 12 ramp (with random lumber laying around) and piled up some logs. He discovered it was a bit tricky to ride in the grass and hit his narrow ramp. So I said, ‘hey, let’s go in the street (dead end) and try this.’ First one brick was used to provide vertical lift, and then a second brick. He loved it.

With two bricks, the ramp becomes a bit wobbly. Plus, a 2 x 12 is a bit narrow, and a few times he rode off the ramp’s side. So I decided to build a jump with the following qualities:

  • Wider ramp
  • Adjustable height, so it will last for a few years as he grows
  • Portable, so I could drag it to the dead end or local schoolyard playground.
  • Safer (while still providing ample opportunity for skinned elbows and broken bones)

6 thoughts on “How-To: Adjustable kids’ bike jump

  1. Dave says:

    Chamfering the leading edge might provide less of a bump at entry. Additionally, coating the top surface with an anti-skid material might provide a bit more safety. For that matter, an anti-skid material on the bottom surface might be a good idea, too.

  2. Eric C. says:

    I spent most of my life on a skateboard, been doing it since I was 5 and now here it is 29 years later. Spent a lot of time building launch ramps, halfs and quarter-pipes in front of my house.

    Use a bit of 1/8″ thick steel to mate with the ground for a smooth transition. But with beefy BMX wheels it shouldn’t matter.

    To keep the ramp from sliding on the asphalt. We would nail carpet to the bottom, it grips concrete pretty well.

    I’m most stoked that you’re the kind of Dad that A) sets aside worrying about the kid getting hurt having fun, kids get hurt but they learn how not to get hurt. Pain is one of the fastest teachers there is. B) that you actually are actively interested in what he’s interested in. Spent the time.

    That matters, my Father’s role was lecturing, but never actually doing anything. Never taught us anything, was never engaged, just worked and made money. I’m thankful for that he put a roof over our head. But I wouldn’t have minded it leaking if it meant he actually cared about us enough to put in some time with us.

    He’s dead now… you can see why this is important if you don’t want your kids thinking you were a bad Father after you’re dead!

  3. pete says:

    I have zero confidence that this ramp has the physical stamina to stand up to even one jump. I appreciate the idea of an adjustable ramp; this just isn’t it.

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Becky Stern is a Content Creator at Autodesk/Instructables, and part time faculty at New York’s School of Visual Arts Products of Design grad program. Making and sharing are her two biggest passions, and she's created hundreds of free online DIY tutorials and videos, mostly about technology and its intersection with crafts. Find her @bekathwia on YouTube/Twitter/Instagram.

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