Blind residents call for halt to floating bus stops after six injuries in Barnet
Campaigners say cycle lanes between pavements and bus stops force vulnerable passengers to cross moving traffic
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Blind and partially sighted residents in Barnet are calling for a halt to floating bus stops after six pedestrians were injured at similar sites across London in three years. The stops, which place a cycle lane between the pavement and the bus boarding area, force passengers to cross moving traffic to board or alight.
Transport for London recorded six casualties at floating bus stops between 2020 and 2022. That represents 0.8% of the 623 pedestrian injuries involving cyclists over the same period, as reported by MyLondon. No figures were provided for Barnet specifically.
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Residents say buses are no longer safe
Gary Wiggins, a partially sighted resident of Waltham Forest and member of the Waltham Forest Blind Association, said he now avoids buses after being knocked over by a cyclist. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the cyclist blamed him for the collision. Wiggins now relies on taxis, increasing his transport costs.
Hyacinth Malcolm, who is fully blind, said she can no longer use buses because she cannot tell if a cycle lane will be present when she steps off. She told MyLondon, "The bus is my life and it's the only way I can travel." Malcolm now takes taxis for all journeys, adding financial strain.
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People can't hear them, they can't see them, and they can't get out of the way. So designs like this are totally unsafe, totally inaccessible, and blind people will keep away from them.
Sarah Gayton, National Federation for the Blind UK
Mayor defends scheme despite safety concerns
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has defended floating bus stops, citing their role in expanding cycling infrastructure. City Hall aims for 80% of all journeys in London to be made on foot, by bicycle, or by public transport by 2041. Khan has repeatedly rejected calls from the London Assembly to pause or scrap the schemes.
Simon Munk of the London Cycling Campaign told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that floating bus stops are no more dangerous than other road layouts. He said, "If you want more cycling and a wider range of people cycling, floating bus stops are a necessity." Munk called for high-quality, inclusive designs rather than a ban.
Government funds research but allows new stops
The Department for Transport paused one type of floating bus stop, Shared Use Bus Borders, in 2023 but allowed Bus Stop Bypasses to continue. A DfT spokesperson said the department is funding research to "ensure accessibility is at the heart of these designs." No timeline was given for the research or any potential changes.
The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, a statutory body, recommended pausing all floating bus stops in August 2024 and again in October 2025. Sarah Gayton of the National Federation for the Blind UK said Khan should follow this advice and halt all new schemes until safety improvements are made.
What happens next
The Department for Transport’s research into accessible designs is ongoing, but no completion date has been set. Transport for London has not announced plans to pause or review floating bus stops in Barnet. Residents can submit comments on local transport schemes through Barnet Council’s planning portal.
Barnet Council was asked for comment on whether it plans to install floating bus stops in the borough but had not responded at the time of publication. The council’s transport strategy for 2023-2041 does not explicitly mention floating bus stops.
Questions this report answers
+How many people have been injured at floating bus stops?
Six pedestrians were injured at floating bus stops in London between 2020 and 2022, according to Transport for London figures. This represents 0.8% of all pedestrian injuries involving cyclists during that period.
+Why do blind residents say floating bus stops are unsafe?
Blind and partially sighted residents say they cannot see or hear cyclists approaching on the separated lanes. This forces them to cross moving traffic to board or alight, increasing the risk of collisions and injuries.
+What is the government doing about floating bus stops?
The Department for Transport paused one type of floating bus stop in 2023 and is funding research into accessible designs. However, it has not halted all new schemes, despite calls from campaigners and a statutory advisory committee.
+Can residents object to floating bus stops in Barnet?
Residents can submit comments on local transport schemes through Barnet Council’s planning portal. The council has not yet confirmed whether it plans to install floating bus stops in the borough.
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