So, this is a pretty weird idea, but it's not outside the realm of possible practicality. There are many residences in the city that have no driveway and are accessible only through stairs, sometimes a long-ish set of them. Parking is often a bit sparse in these spots so even less than dedicated cyclists could see the benefit of not taking a car.
Walking up them is not so much the problem, it's carrying stuff. Of course as a lazy cyclist, that makes me want a runnel, but that still leaves non-trivial grocery getting a pain. Unless of course, one had an e-cargo bike that you could take up the runnel. Now, these are heavy beasts loaded to capacity, so it'd be much more practical and nice if you could feather the throttle for a little boost but it were responsive enough not to carry you away on a landing.
Has anyone tried such a thing? These bikes are so expensive, but considered in the context of a real estate transaction and the discount such properties have over ones with driveways, they certainly aren't. So...
byogman
2018-12-07 14:24:53
If your steps are concrete and there's enough of a buffer on either side (i.e., enough concrete on either side) you could hire someone to cut a runnel out of the concrete... That may be the easiest way.
Like what Pittsburgh did in Oakland.
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/Blogh/archives/2018/04/10/new-steps-being-installed-in-oakland-include-a-small-ramp-for-bikes
edronline
2018-12-07 16:38:09
A loaded cargo bike on a runnel? Makes me cringe! Much less the idea that you might use some form of "power assist."
Many e-bikes only offer "pedal assist" so you'd need a full assist bike in any case.
swalfoort
2019-02-19 09:31:28
Maybe get a few rails, a good winch, and make a DIY incline out of a box to put your cargo on with a couple wheels at two different heights (for a flat surface while on the incline), and winch your stuff up the hill?
benzo
2019-02-19 13:28:35
There are commercial
incline cargo lifts too. They're $5K and up. Of course e-bikes aren't cheap either.
steven
2019-02-20 11:49:15
