Bicycle stairway
Encyclopedia
A bicycle stairway is a pedestrian stairway
which also has a channel alongside it to facilitate walking a bicycle up or down the stairway.
The channel itself is also often called a wheeling ramp or push ramp. There is no standard in the dimensions, materials, or shape used in the channel, however the channel is intended to be sufficient to guide a variety of bicycle tires without binding or causing damage. Cross-section shapes vary, but are usually either nearly rectangular or V- or U-shaped. Depth is generally 2 to 6 cm (1 to 2.5 inches) and width 6 to 13 cm (2.5 to 5 inches). If the stairs do not turn and are relatively short, a flat cross section without sidewalls may suffice. The channel is an inclined plane
within easy reach of someone using the stairs. There may be level portions for resting or passing.
Accessibility requirements for handrails tend to conflict with bicycle stairways, as handrails may obstruct or decrease the control of a bicyclist using the channel. Suggestions for resolving the conflicts include providing a single handrail down the middle of the stairs with gutters at the outside edges, or placing handrails at both edges and placing the gutter in the middle. However, the Toronto Transit Commission
is testing channels placed next to handrails. Some users have commented about the disadvantages, such as pedals catching on the stairs' handrail.
Bicycle stairways may have arisen in reaction to wear and compaction beside outdoor stairways where bicyclists walking their bikes prefer to roll the bicycle on smooth lawn or soil instead of carrying it or having it bump along the stairs.
Stairway
Stairway, staircase, stairwell, flight of stairs, or simply stairs are names for a construction designed to bridge a large vertical distance by dividing it into smaller vertical distances, called steps...
which also has a channel alongside it to facilitate walking a bicycle up or down the stairway.
The channel itself is also often called a wheeling ramp or push ramp. There is no standard in the dimensions, materials, or shape used in the channel, however the channel is intended to be sufficient to guide a variety of bicycle tires without binding or causing damage. Cross-section shapes vary, but are usually either nearly rectangular or V- or U-shaped. Depth is generally 2 to 6 cm (1 to 2.5 inches) and width 6 to 13 cm (2.5 to 5 inches). If the stairs do not turn and are relatively short, a flat cross section without sidewalls may suffice. The channel is an inclined plane
Inclined plane
The inclined plane is one of the original six simple machines; as the name suggests, it is a flat surface whose endpoints are at different heights. By moving an object up an inclined plane rather than completely vertical, the amount of force required is reduced, at the expense of increasing the...
within easy reach of someone using the stairs. There may be level portions for resting or passing.
Accessibility requirements for handrails tend to conflict with bicycle stairways, as handrails may obstruct or decrease the control of a bicyclist using the channel. Suggestions for resolving the conflicts include providing a single handrail down the middle of the stairs with gutters at the outside edges, or placing handrails at both edges and placing the gutter in the middle. However, the Toronto Transit Commission
Toronto Transit Commission
-Island Ferry:The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.-Gray Coach:...
is testing channels placed next to handrails. Some users have commented about the disadvantages, such as pedals catching on the stairs' handrail.
Bicycle stairways may have arisen in reaction to wear and compaction beside outdoor stairways where bicyclists walking their bikes prefer to roll the bicycle on smooth lawn or soil instead of carrying it or having it bump along the stairs.
External links
- Photo of a flat cross section at a train station in Japan
- Photo of very narrow V-shaped cross section at a subway station in Copenhagen
- Photo counterexample: shows gutter next to handrail at a subway station in Toronto