Forum Topic

Floating bus stops not such a great idea after all

From Highways Magazine:The roll-out of floating bus stops has been halted by the Government as it responds to campaigns surrounding pedestrian safety.The Government has ordered an immediate suspension of bus stops where pedestrians board and disembark directly from or to a cycle lane.The pause was announced by Simon Lightwood, the local transport minister, in a statement to MPs on 26 June, with the minister referring to them as ‘problematic’ to people with visual impairments.The main concern highlighted by campaigners is that the floating stops force pedestrians – particularly vulnerable pedestrians or those with disabilities – to avoid cyclists using the bike lanes between the stops and the pavement.A UCL study commissioned by the charity The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association showed that guide dogs avoid using floating bus stops due to meeting cyclists travelling at speed.El Briggs, head of policy, public affairs and campaigns at The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, said: ‘Our research has shown the significant fear, anxiety and distress caused by bus stop boarders for disabled people.‘Our research shows bus stop boarders are confusing, difficult to detect, and can create frightening near-misses with cyclists. No one should have to risk stepping into harm’s way just to board or leave a bus.’Sarah Gayton, of the National Federation of the Blind UK, also commented: ‘All types of floating bus stops are not safe or accessible for blind people, as well as all bus passengers.‘Guidance will not resolve this design flaw. The only solution is for the bus to pull up to the pavement curb where passengers can board and alight without crossing any cycle lane.‘We want cyclists to be safe, but not at the expense of the most vulnerable people; pedestrians, but particularly blind and disabled pedestrians.’

Simon Hayes ● 45d47 Comments

Philippa should stop digging herself deeper into her hole of ignorance. Perhaps she could find a blind person to give their opinion, which would have far more credibility.Meanwhile, here’s what the RNIB (which does have credibility) said on this topic in May 2024:‘ Vivienne Francis, RNIB’s Chief Social Change Officer commented on reports the Transport Secretary is considering a ban on floating bus stops: “Evidence tells us that the current design of bus stop bypasses is dangerous for blind and partially sighted people."“We want to see a halt to building new bus stops with cycle lanes, and at the same time, existing floating bus stops need to be adapted so that they are safe and accessible to blind and partially sighted pedestrians.“The Department for Transport needs to do much more to design the built environment to ensure cyclists and blind and partially sighted people can both make journeys safely.“The latest government-backed research reinforced what we already knew - that blind and partially sighted people have not been involved meaningfully in current street design processes. This needs to change.“For many years we have been working with local authorities and transport executives at a local level to advocate for built environment schemes which are safe for everybody to use. A national design standard is much needed to ensure our streets are safe for both pedestrians and cyclists.”’https://www.rnib.org.uk/news/rnibs-statement-on-floating-bus-stops/

Simon Hayes ● 5h

TfL will only record an incident if it involves a bus and an ambulance call out and hospital admission.  Most incidents are minor or near misses but nonetheless a horrible experience for those simply waiting, boarding or alighting a bus.Perversely and slight incident in a side street near a school and TfL wheel out a load of unverifiable incidents.So when it suits, it suits .. there or their in pocket councils.Problem is it has undermined confidence and undone the decades of work to make Public Transport safe and accessible for All. As I have said before and in writing to TfL and others, and like so many others have also raised, aspects of the designs are really poor and dangerous. Including for diligent Cyclists and paving the way for another their of Wild West reckless behaviour from too many without repercussions for them.But the repercussions for Bus Passengers are bad from near misses, verbal abuse and threats , being past at for being ' in their way', having to be in fear of getting off a bus .  Bus Drivers get the blame but never the real causes.For diligent cyclists its easier to ride in the road, avoiding the possibility of a person who may not hear the bell or see the rider, or may not be able to move out of the way easily. That's not apparent when on the bike and too many do not ride with diligence or road safe let alone footpath safe.Verbal and written warnings may be there but by default, buses will be carrying more whom have visual, agility and hearing issues not always apparent and this not always going to be heeded or seen. Unlike days of Bus Conductors when the help and spacial awareness was to hand.Trying to decant a design that is for wide multi carraigeway boulevards into British narrow and twisty 'A' and 'B' roads is a massive challenge and despite a huge amount of money being spent the basic fundamentals remain omnipresent and unsolved.  Arrogance and doctrinal management and policy has not brought about a genuine all round improvement but almost the opposite.It all looks lovely in the illustrations but the flaws and failings are a contradiction to what was achieved in previous generations with far less means to solve technical limitations. It's the closed dismissive mentality to any pragmatic criticism and the end result is always going to be half baked.

Raymond Havelock ● 44d