Trail Construction: Stairs

Stairs often interrupt routes that are otherwise suitable for bicycling. Here are examples of ways to accommodate bikes on stairs.

Ramps along stairs on western Pennsylvania trails

(left) On the Allegheny Valley Trail, the Belmar Bridge crosses high above the trail along the Allegheny River. A stairway connects the two levels. There's a ramp alongside the stairs, with occasional cleats to help keep the bikes from running away.

(right) On the C&O Canal Towpath at Seneca, going down from the lock/aqueduct level to the parking lot. The bike ramp here is much too narrow -- there's not enough clearance for panniers and handlebars.

Channels along stairs

Actually, the Dutch do this better -- they use a U-shaped channel instead of a flat surface. This helps keep the bike going straight. The left photo is at a train station. The right is at the end of a bridge across a canal.

Bike ramps elsewhere

The Swiss style runs to flat ramps, not necessarily at the edge of the stairway.

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