Cork City Council is to consider installing ramps alongside the road going up Patrick’s Hill in the city to make it easier for cyclists to wheel their bikes up.
The ramps would be installed on the pavement steps up the
hill so cyclists could get off and walk and easily wheel their bikes up the
climb.
At present any cyclist in the area needs to dismount and
carry their bikes up the step. The new ramp would be a cut away section into
the pavement creating a ramp that a bikes wheels could be pushed along.
It would effectively involve a narrow strip of ramp up the steps.
Such wheel ramps are already very popular in other parts of Europe and in the US.
The brutally steep climb was used in the Nissan Classic when
even many top pro riders came to a standstill on it.
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The ascent was also used in domestic races; many young
riders tackling it in the Junior Tour of Ireland wearing trainers rather than
cycling shoes to aid their way up Patrick’s Hill on foot.
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The proposal to insert wheel ramps has been put forward by Cllr
Oliver Moran of the Green Party. It is hoped if Patrick’s Hill was made
slightly easier to negotiate, the area may be used as a quiet way by cyclists.
It is anticipated a wheeling ramp between Bridge Street and
Wellington Road would encourage more cyclists to use Wellington Road as a quiet
way.
Similarly, the installation of another section of wheel ramp
between Clifton Terrace and the Lower Glanmire Road would better connect Kent
Station and the St Luke's area for cyclists.
City Hall director of operations Valerie O’Sullivan told the
Cork Echo the proposal would be examined.
“The
installation of cycle wheeling ramps the pedestrian steps connecting Clifton
Terrace and the Lower Glanmire Road will be assessed,” she said.
“Any appropriate solutions will be put forward for consideration to be included in the roads programme, subject to available funding and resources.”
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