Ministers ignored DPTAC calls to pause floating bus stops

Disability experts demanded a halt on new floating bus stops after it emerged cyclists refuse to stop at zebra crossings, endangering pedestrians – but the advice has been ignored, a charity has claimed. The Government’s disabled persons transport advisory committee (DPTAC) said the concerns expressed by vulnerable pedestrians had been ‘underplayed’ in research carried out on the stops, which involve people crossing a cycle lane to board a bus. The group also suggested Labour had been pandering to the cycling lobby – and called for

cyclists to be alerted to a need for them to ‘change their behaviour’ when approaching zebra crossings. Floating bus stops were designed to prevent bikes from overtaking buses but they have become the source of controversy after research showed a majority of cyclists do not give way to pedestrians. Videos shared on social media show a number of people, including pensioners and children, being mown down by bikes at zebra crossings which lead to and from the stops. The DPTAC’s report from 2025, which was

marked as ‘official – sensitive’, was the group’s response to draft government guidance on floating bus stops. However, it was uncovered last month through a Freedom of Information request – and has been seen by the Daily Mail. It revealed the expert committee, which advises ministers on the needs of disabled people, had repeatedly called for the rollout of floating bus stops to be paused. The report reads: ‘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,’ it adds. ‘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.’ Last November,

the Government ordered a pause on the installation of stops, where people getting off a bus have to step onto a live cycle lane. However, Sarah Gayton, of the National Federation of the Blind of the UK, which uncovered the report, has called for an immediate halt to all floating bus stops. She told the Mail: ‘Parliament should be open and the question here is if the ministerial code has been broken. The ministers would have had this information. ‘We have also done briefing after

briefing on the issue. ‘This is supposed to be the Labour party but they treat disabled people with contempt.’ Floating bus stops come in several different types. These include ‘bus stop bypasses’ which place a cycle lane between the pavement and the bus shelter. Meanwhile, ‘bus boarding islands’ route cyclists between the bus stop and a dedicated kerb on which people board the bus. The Department for Transport no longer recommends the use of ‘shared use bus boarders’, which requires people to board or leave

buses directly onto cycle paths. Other charities have also expressed concern at the use of floating bus stops. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association has called for the roll-out of all forms of floating bus stop to be halted until they can be proven safe. It previously found through testing that trained guide dogs are naturally predisposed to avoid floating bus stops because they don’t think they are safe for their handler. Professor Nick Tyler of University College London, who conducted the tests in

a simulated environment, described the bus stops-cum-cycle paths as ‘conflict zones’. A Department for Transport spokesman said: ‘We have listened carefully to the concerns raised about floating bus stops from a wide range of groups, including DPTAC and disability charities. ‘Following our pause on some floating bus stops in November, further research is being carried out to ensure accessibility is at the heart of these designs, and funding is available to help local authorities make changes to existing sites.

floating bus stops, DPTAC, zebra crossings, cyclists, disability transport advisory committee, Sarah Gayton, National Federation of the Blind, Freedom of Information, Department for Transport, Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Nick Tyler