The steps are on my property. It is ex council hence the public look. Next door have a right of access which is not formalised in the deeds but is fairly obvious as it is the only access to their property (also privately owned).
I don't think the steps are wide enough to use a temporary ramp as I won't have enough space to stand next to the bike! So some remodelling is required anyway. Good thinking about the ramp on hinges and pulling it up out of the way though.
Bit stuck for taking photos with the lack of light in the evenings after work.
If next door share your steps build a concrete ramp across their garden, Fairs fair dont you think??
Get someone to fabricate a trolley which is effectively two upturned isoceles triangles with a chequer plate deck fastened to the underside of the triangles and an axle at the apex the deck should engage on the upper step and shallow the angle down, if too steep add a further section which hinges and folds back on the deck so taking up no more space. I would budget £500 to get it fabricated but you may find something you can adapt if budget is an issue. This approcah allows you to keep it round the back and wheel it out when needed (make sure no wider than your garden gate)
The Frying Scotsman
Thinking on after seeing Big mac suggestion. how about a drop down ramp hinged of the base of the hand rail when not in use would stand up right and could be pad locked into that position to keep it safe. Not sure how much a ramp would cost to make but I ve got a welder.
My two penth,
I like the roll-a-ramp thing but dunno if it's going to be stable enough to walk the bike down. Limits of the ramp is ~300-400 kg depending on length. The dry weight of the bike is ~200 kg add fluids to that (~10 kg?) and the average mass of a grown adult and kit ~100 kg and your getting to the upper limits of the longer ramps. Then there's the bouncing mothion that walking down the ramp could transfer to it and the extra stress that might cause. There's also the problem that it's a lump of metal that could be weighed in by your local scallywag.
It's abit of a grim subject to bring up with him but is there a chance your neighbour is going to need an access ramp in the future? Ask him, he might have been thinking about it himself and you could maybe club together for a permanent structure.
thou shalt not kick
The midway 'jacks are there to limit bending..I would personally walk alongside the bike and 'drive it' (Not that I am offering as the commute would be a bit much)
The Frying Scotsman
Installing paving slabs on each side of steps can solve this problem, Consult with an expert about it.
