Floating bus stops risk to visually impaired, campaigners say

Campaigners from the National Federation of the Blind of the UK (NFBUK) are demanding the immediate removal of 'floating bus stops' in London, asserting they present a substantial risk to disabled and visually impaired people. The group claims these designs, which place a cycle lane between the pavement and the bus stop, are preventing vulnerable individuals from using public transport.

Concerns over cyclist and pedestrian safety

A video shared by NFBUK on social media platform X, showing cyclists passing close to pedestrians, has attracted nearly 13 million views. Sarah Gayton, Street Access Campaign Coordinator for NFBUK, stated the video, originally filmed in 2025 on Farringdon Street, highlights ongoing issues. She described the situation at bus stops like the one near Blackfriars as 'dangerous' and 'discriminatory', with cyclists frequently not stopping and blind people unable to hear them due to parallel road noise. Ms Gayton added that the behaviour of some riders is 'terrifying', with bus passengers being 'one step away from being knocked flying'.

The concerns were amplified when the City of London Corporation approved a cycleway scheme on Queen Victoria Street in October 2024. This decision included protected two-way cycle lanes, despite NFBUK's arguments that the floating bus stops posed a significant danger. The government has since issued new guidelines for cycleways, stating that plans should align with 'best practice' and include 'additional mitigation measures to address user needs, especially for disabled people'.

Ms Gayton called the City of London Corporation's decision 'devastating' for blind people and accused authorities of breaking promises. She noted that Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan had promised to meet with campaigners in February 2023 to discuss the floating bus stop schemes, but such a meeting has not yet occurred. Hyacinth Malcolm, another campaigner, told The Standard that while TfL states 'every journey matters', this is not the case if individuals cannot safely access buses, which she described as 'the only way I can travel'.

Government guidelines and ongoing advocacy

Reports from July indicated that the government’s disabled persons transport advisory committee (DPTAC) had requested a halt to new floating bus stops, citing cyclists' refusal to stop at crossings. The committee reportedly criticised ministers for downplaying pedestrian fears and for pandering to the cycling lobby. NFBUK has documented incidents, including a video showing a bike crashing into a child in Elephant and Castle, though Ms Gayton stated this crash was not officially logged.

NFBUK states that many people with sight loss in the capital are avoiding buses altogether due to these schemes, leading to social isolation. Ms Gayton mentioned two blind individuals in the Blackfriars area who are now unable to leave their homes because of the cycle lanes. A Department for Transport spokesperson confirmed that the government has listened to concerns and is carrying out further research to ensure accessibility in designs, with funding available for local authorities to make changes to existing sites.

What happens next

The City of London Corporation has stated its plans align with 'best practice' and will include 'additional mitigation measures to address user needs, especially for disabled people'. A City Hall spokesperson said the Mayor and his team are committed to safe and sustainable travel and welcome statutory guidance on floating bus stops to ensure future installations are accessible. NFBUK continues its campaign, highlighting the impact on visually impaired and disabled Londoners.