Originally Posted by
Kedosto
Assuming you're here in the US, I wouldn't touch a project like that with a ten foot pole. What, with our litigious society and all. I'm no expert, but it seems you're opening a can of worms. Any number of things could go wrong and it would undoubtedly fall on the guy who cobbled together something on the steps. Hell, this could even be in your own backyard and it'd still be risky. For guys like you or me it would be drop-dead easy to maneuver and makes all the sense in the world, but there's always that one person... you know how it goes.
-Kedosto
Good point.
There have to be standards for ramps, and probably full ADA ramps.
Anything less, and you set yourself up for legal issues.
This is what we have in Springfield. 
Path is a very short railway siding that was converted to a bike path.
Simple gravel path that bikes take to the outside of the steps.
A few months ago someone came along and dug out the bottom of the gravel path, so it now has a 1 foot drop at the bottom.
And, of course, the gravel has eroded at the top of the path too.
Nonetheless, the city probably can't simply concrete in that short gravel bike path.
I have ridden it, but it is easier to simply get off and walk, either up or down.
I do think Springfield's solution would be to cut a diagonal down the slope. But, it would take some work. Perhaps a diagonal going each direction.