Nope. On my hills, going up is far worse.
For example. Expressway Hill is about 3.5kms long, averages over 6%, spends most of it at 8% (got a couple of short, false flats) and tops out at 10%. Coming down, my cadences hit 180 on the last, long run, sit around 150+ for the rest (lots of corners) and I get to the bottom with my heart rate monitor having hysterics BUT, it's still a bloody sight better than trying to get up the bugger. Quite frankly, walking selected bits of it makes a lot of sense and those who think walking is a crime should try riding real hills. Riding a geared bike makes more sense going up Expressway Hill and Flaggy Hill (shorter but steeper), but those two are the only bits in all my riding where it does, so I'll get off and walk if needed and enjoy my fixed gear for the other 98% of my riding.