London's Controversial Floating Bus Stops Fail to Meet British Safety Standards
Transport for London and the capital's boroughs have aggressively rolled out floating bus stops under Mayor Sadiq Khan's administration that fail to conform to British Standards Institute safety recommendations, it has emerged. These designs place cycle lanes either between the pavement and bus stops or between bus stops and the vehicles themselves, creating potentially dangerous conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians.
Safety Guidance Ignored Since 2018
The British Standards Institute, which advises on best practice for safety across UK industries, issued clear guidance in 2018 warning road designers to avoid guiding people into the paths of cyclists when getting on or off buses. The BSI guidance specifically states: 'Pedestrians should have access to and from the bus stop without crossing cycle routes, including where these run between the pedestrian route and the vehicle carriageway.'
Despite this clear recommendation, London has continued expanding its network of floating bus stops, with 164 such stops across the capital as of March 2024. These are roughly split 50/50 between Transport for London managed roads and those controlled by local boroughs.
Vulnerable Pedestrians Forced to 'Run the Gauntlet'
Critics argue the BSI definition effectively recommends against any kind of floating bus stop, yet new government guidance issued just last month appears to ignore these established safety standards. Disability charities report that vulnerable pedestrians including parents with prams, elderly people, and those with visual impairments are being put at significant risk.
Some floating bus stops feature zebra crossing markings that, according to the Highway Code, should give pedestrians right of way when boarding or leaving buses. However, a Transport for London report found that 60 percent of cyclists refused to acknowledge these crossings, forcing vulnerable pedestrians to navigate dangerous situations.
Shocking Incidents and Safety Concerns
In horrifying examples that highlight the dangers, pensioners and even children have been run down by cyclists on e-bikes at these floating bus stops. The Government maintains that floating bus stops are meant to protect cyclists who were previously being injured by buses pulling out into the road, but disability campaigners describe the designs as 'shambolic' and putting blind and visually impaired people at particular risk.
Sarah Gayton of the National Federation of the Blind told reporters it was 'absolutely disgusting' that British Standards guidance appeared to have been ignored since 2018. 'Blind people have been raising concerns since 2014 and many simply won't use them,' she said. 'They're not safe, they're not suitable for everyone, and they have to come out.'
Government Guidance and Industry Response
Floating bus stops come in several different types, two of which are recommended by the Department for Transport and Active Travel England in statutory guidance published on January 26 under the new Bus Services Act. These include 'bus stop bypasses' which place a cycle lane between the pavement and bus shelter, and 'bus boarding islands' which route cyclists between the bus stop and a dedicated kerb for boarding.
However, the Department for Transport no longer recommends 'shared use bus boarders' which require people to board or leave buses directly onto cycle paths, though these continue to be used in several London boroughs. While the Government consulted the BSI guidance when drawing up new guidelines, it regarded the institute's advice as voluntary rather than mandatory.
Safety Review Controversy and Future Changes
Transport for London has sought to claim that floating bus stops are safe, but a 2024 safety review was found to have misrepresented their safety record earlier this year. According to reports, of the 121 bus stops used to justify their ongoing use, 37 were of the wrong type, leading to the safety review being pulled from Transport for London's website.
A government spokesperson stated: 'Making bus travel accessible and safe for everyone is a key priority for this Government, which is why we have published this guidance. Following our pause on some floating bus stops in November, this is the next step to ensuring new bus stops are designed with safety and accessibility at their heart.'
Transport for London responded that they 'engage with local communities on proposals for investment on our roads and consider relevant recommendations from different bodies and organisations.' They noted that 'The BSI is an independent organisation that produces its own voluntary codes of practice.'
Anthony Burd, BSI's director of built environment, confirmed the body was 'committed to promoting the widespread adoption' of its recommendations which offer 'good practice guidance' for safe and inclusive streets. The BSI is currently preparing an update to its advice to help create better accessible transport systems across the country.
