A Transport for London (TfL) report has found 60 per cent of cyclists do not acknowledge floating bus stops – forcing pram-pushing parents, elderly people, and sight-impaired with guide dogs to “run the gauntlet” when trying to board or alight from buses. Disability campaigners accuse London’s Labour mayor Lord Khan of making London “a nightmare” for the blind.
Mayor of London Lord Khan – chairperson of TfL – and the capital’s Labour boroughs have aggressively rolled out floating bus stops that place cycle lanes either between the pavement and the bus stop, or between the bus stop and the buses themselves. In horrifying examples, pensioners and even children have been run down by cyclists on e-bikes.
Zebra crossing markings indicate that cyclists should give pedestrians the right of way, according to the Highway Code. Critics say these crossings are almost impossible for blind people as they can’t hear cyclists and many on bikes refuse to stop.
TfL will only admit to five pedestrian casualties involving cyclists and one involving an e-scooter recorded over a three-year period. But campaigners say the real figure is likely to be much higher. Sarah Gayton, of the National Federation of the Blind UK (NFBUK), told the Daily Mail: “These floating bus stops will never be safe for the blind.
“Blind people, the elderly and the disabled are avoiding using London’s famous red buses because they can’t safely cross these roads to get on or off. They are literally designing blind people out of the public transport system, and nobody seems to give a damn”.
GLTN holds reports of bus drivers refusing to extend the electrically-operated wheel chair ramps at bus exit and entrance for fear it won’t be seen by speeding cyclists and run over causing damage to the mechanism so it can’t be retracted. Thus taking the bus out of service.
Floating bus stops fail to conform to British Standards Institution (BSI) recommendations. BSI issued guidance back in 2018 warning road designers to avoid guiding people into the paths of cyclists when getting on or off buses. But that didn’t stop Lord Khan from rolling out the unsafe bus stops across the capital.
Ms Gayton said: “Sadiq Khan has turned London into a nightmare for people who want to use public transport or even just walk down the pavement. I think he needs to step down over the whole thing. He’s just not interested. You need a mayor that cares about everybody, and it’s very clear this mayor doesn’t”.
Other charities have also expressed concern at the use of floating bus stops. Guide Dogs for the Blind Association has called for rollout of all forms of floating bus stop to be halted until they can be proven safe. Professor Nick Tyler of University College London, conducted tests in a simulated environment. In his report he describes the bus stops-cum-cycle paths as “conflict zones”.
Commenting on behalf of The Alliance of British Drivers (ABD), the organisation’s Policy Director – Brian Gregory – said: “The ABD fully supports improving road safety. Floating bus-stops are a potential death-trap for the partially sighted & sightless – & should be outlawed.”
ENDS
Author Richard Town is a former GLC councillor and metropolitan police driver. He writes here on behalf of The Alliance of British Drivers (ABD).
For all media enquiries, contact Paul Naylor on 07914 304 504 or email paul@mediaandyou.co.uk
Notes: Founded in 1992, the Alliance of British Drivers (ABD) is the leading organisation promoting the interests and concerns of drivers in the United Kingdom.
The UK has over 37 million drivers – that is a majority; we should stop tolerating the way we are treated by the government and local councils.
Cars, vans and taxis account for 80% of the mileage of all trips in the UK, and over 65% of goods being carried by road. The road network, and the people who use it, are of vital importance to the nation’s economy. Drivers should expect the road network to be improved and maintained to a standard that is fit for purpose. They should be able to use the roads in a safe and responsible manner without being subject to unreasonable charges, restrictions or penalties.
