A man stuck out his thumb, pleading with traffic to let him cross—not on a dusty highway, but at a pedestrian crossing over a cycle lane. The crossing outside Blackfriars Station in central London has been nicknamed 'the nightmare' by locals, with many warning it is an accident waiting to happen. It sits over a two-way cycle lane as part of a controversial floating bus stop, a design frequently criticized for its safety issues.
During rush hour on Wednesday evening, Metro witnessed the chaos firsthand. Cyclists frequently failed to stop for pedestrians using the crossing, forcing them to make a mad dash across the lane. In just over an hour, we counted 60 failed attempts to cross safely. Indie, from Kent, grimaced as she ran across when a gap finally appeared. 'Well, you have just seen my face,' she said. 'I have never seen a crossing like this before, and it is so fast.'
What Is a Floating Bus Stop?
A floating bus stop places a cycle lane between the bus stop and the pavement, creating an island for passengers. The London Assembly says this ensures that passengers alight directly onto the stop island, never stepping onto a cycle track or road. First introduced in London in 2013, the design aimed to prevent cyclists from being stuck behind buses and reduce their risk of injury or death.
Baron Richard Newby, OBE, was among those waiting at the bus stop after making the risky crossing. He told Metro: 'We have debated these in the House of Lords before, but this is my first time using one. Now I can fully see why there are safety fears.'
'It Is Absolutely Terrifying'
Last year, the House of Lords narrowly failed to pass an amendment that would have prevented more floating bus stops from being installed, despite campaigners highlighting the risks to blind people. Kasia Kubasek, a blind bus user in London, said: 'It is absolutely terrifying. I cannot see or hear the bicycles. Even the thought of having to cross a cycle lane to get to the bus stop fills me with a fear that paralyses me, and I avoid them like fire.'
Cycling groups argue that floating bus stops are key to reducing road danger for cyclists. However, some concerns remain that cyclists are not given enough warning about the crossing. One woman who uses the crossing multiple times a week said her workplace has made multiple complaints to the City of London. She noted that 'it wasn't the cyclists' fault' as there is little opportunity for them to brake in time. With a red light only metres away, many cyclists resort to stopping and waiting on the crossing itself.
Metro’s Jed Bradley cycled a few laps with a GoPro and concluded: 'It would be much safer if there was a sign further back telling cyclists to prepare for the crossing.'
Work on Cycleway Given Go-Ahead
In July, Transport for London paused the installation of floating bus stops and halted work on the cycle lane between Blackfriars and Aldgate. However, last week the project was given the green light to proceed. Updated guidance was published this year, and corporation officers concluded that the Blackfriars designs met the 'recommended process.'
Sergeant Stuart Ford, Cycle Team lead at the City of London Police, said: 'Running a red light or going through a zebra crossing in use puts pedestrians, especially vulnerable ones, at risk. Cyclists gamble on the fact that pedestrians will move out of the way, ignoring any hidden vulnerabilities. The Blackfriars zebra crossing has been highlighted by the National Federation of the Blind (NFBUK), and we’re working with the Corporation of London and Transport for London to ensure pedestrian safety.'
A City of London Corporation spokesperson added: 'We are taking the issue of accessibility extremely seriously and will ensure the City’s streets are safe and usable for everyone, as is the priority in all of our schemes. The Aldgate to Blackfriars cycleway has been subject to a full Equalities Impact Assessment, with input from a diverse range of charities. The proposals are also in line with DfT’s statutory guidance on bus stop bypasses. We will continue to engage constructively with accessibility groups as the designs develop.'
