Full Breakdown
Campaign to Ban “Floating” Bus Stops with Cycle Lanes
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Floating Bus Stops Under Fire
Marilyn Lant, a blind resident of Exeter, Devon, has joined blind, deaf-blind, partially sighted people and wheelchair users from across the United Kingdom in a protest at Whitehall. The demonstrators are urging the Prime Minister to prohibit and remove “floating” bus stops—bus shelters positioned between a cycle lane and the pavement—arguing that the design forces vulnerable passengers to cross a two-way cycle track to board or alight from a bus.
Design and Government Pause
Floating bus stops come in two forms: Shared Use Bus Borders, where the cycle lane runs directly in front of the shelter, and bus stop bypasses, where the bike track runs behind the shelter. In response to safety concerns, the minister for roads and buses, Simon Lightwood MP, wrote to all English local authorities in November 2025 asking them to pause the installation of any floating bus-stop designs that require passengers to board from a cycle track. The pause remains in effect, though Lant is calling for a complete ban.
Voices of Concern
She described the experience as “anxiety-inducing,” noting that she cannot see or hear approaching cyclists and may wait indefinitely without knowing when a bike will pass. Critics of the design echo these concerns, describing the floating stops as a hazard for vulnerable road users.
Official Response and Ongoing Debate
Simon Lightwood’s letter represents the latest official acknowledgement of the issue, instructing local councils to halt further rollout of the contested designs. No additional government statements have been released, and the request for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to “stop them completely” remains a demand from the campaign rather than an affirmed policy change.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I'm not going to give up on this one.” — Marilyn Lant — Marilyn Lant