Call made to pause installing floating bus stops

The London Assembly has called for a pause in the installation of floating bus stops, saying the designs have left some people "fearing for their safety".

A floating bus stop, also known as a bus stop bypass or bus stop island, is a road layout where a dedicated cycle lane runs behind the passenger waiting area, separating it from the main pavement.

The motion passed by 17 votes to three, with backers citing safety concerns for partially sighted, older and disabled Londoners.

Transport for London (TfL) said it has paused bus stop designs that require passengers to step directly into a cycle lane. However, work is continuing on three floating bus stops where cyclists pass behind the bus stop.

The motion asks the mayor of London to instruct TfL to pause the installation of floating bus stops of any kind.

Keith Prince AM, who proposed the motion, said "the growing number of collisions and near misses cannot be ignored".

"Every Londoner should be able to get on and off a bus without fearing for their safety.

"Yet floating bus stops are putting pedestrians at risk, particularly blind, partially sighted, elderly and disabled Londoners," he said.

Campaign groups have previously pushed back against the scheme, due to concerns the infrastructure poses a major safety hazard for blind, deaf and disabled commuters.

The London Assembly cited a series of incidents at floating bus stops across the capital.

These included a disabled man who was hit in the ribs and ankle by an e-bike rider after getting off a bus in Camden.

He said the bus driver told him similar incidents had happened many times and that he had previously narrowly avoided being hit at the same stop.

The report also highlighted footage showing a child being hit by a cyclist while crossing a cycle lane to reach a bus stop in south London, and a pedestrian being knocked over by a cyclist near St Thomas' Hospital.

It also cited video showing cyclists passing close to wheelchair users and blind pedestrians at a stop in Waltham Forest.

Deputy mayor for transport Seb Dance said he was punched by a cyclist after challenging them for failing to give way to a pedestrian at a floating bus stop.

A TfL spokesperson said it remains "committed to making London's transport network as accessible as possible".

"We continue to follow the government's guidance on floating bus stops, which plays an important role in delivering protected cycle infrastructure and improving road safety.

"We are working closely with disabled people, older Londoners and accessibility groups to better understand people's experiences and identify opportunities for further improvements," they added.

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