A panel of disability experts has urged the government to call a halt to all new floating bus stops because ‘dangerous cyclists’ refuse to stop at their zebra crossings, a report revealed.
Highways News reported that the Government’s disabled persons transport advisory committee (DPTAC) accused ministers of “underplaying” vulnerable pedestrians’ fears over the stops, which involve crossing a bike lane to board a bus.
The news service said the committee also criticised the Department for Transport for “pandering to the cycling lobby”, claiming draft guidance implied that cyclists “should not be inconvenienced” by road rules.
Highways News quoted the Daily Telegraph as reporting that the committee was set up in 1985 to advise ministers on the needs of disabled people and had repeatedly called for a pause on floating bus stops.
Highways News also quoted the DPTAC as saying: “For the record we would wish to restate that, as set out in our 2024 advice, our position remains that there should be a pause on all new installations until further research is complete.
“The review of the research carried out somewhat underplays the concerns expressed by disabled people – the psychological impact of near misses and people avoiding the particular areas for fear of encountering this infrastructure.
“We would like to see more emphasis on suitable calming measures to alert cyclists of the need for a change in behaviour, to slow down and give way to pedestrians. There are points in the guidance where it almost seems that cyclists should not be inconvenienced by such measures…”
Sarah Gayton, of the National Federation of the Blind of the UK which uncovered the report, told Highways News there should be an immediate halt to the bus stops.
She said: “This advice was never published but was kept secret from Parliament. Had MPs and Lords known they would have voted against floating bus stops,” she said. “No more research will make these designs safe or accessible for blind people to use independently.”