UMVA has learned that a notorious cycle lane outside Blackfriars Station in central London has been dubbed "the nightmare" by locals, and for good reason. The pedestrian crossing, which sits over a two-way cycle lane as part of a controversial floating bus stop design, has been plagued by near-misses and safety concerns.
During a recent investigation, Metro observed dozens of cyclists failing to stop for pedestrians trying to use the crossing, forcing them to make a perilous dash across the lane. In just over an hour, 60 failed attempts to cross safely were counted. One woman, Indie from Kent, grimaced as she ran across the crossing, narrowly avoiding a collision.
The floating bus stop design, which places a cycle lane between the stop and the pavement behind it, has been criticized for its safety risks. While it was introduced to prevent cyclists from being stuck behind buses, concerns have been raised about the lack of warning for cyclists approaching the crossing. "It's absolutely terrifying," said Kasia Kubasek, a blind bus user in London. "I cannot see or hear the bicycles."
Baron Richard Newby, OBE, who was waiting at the bus stop after using the crossing, echoed these concerns. "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." The Upper Chamber had previously narrowly failed to pass an amendment to prevent more floating bus stops from being installed, despite campaigners pushing for recognition of the risks posed to blind people.
A cyclist who rode along the lane with a GoPro attached concluded that a sign further back warning cyclists to prepare for the crossing would greatly improve safety. Meanwhile, Sergeant Stuart Ford, Cycle Team lead at the City of London Police, emphasized that cyclists who ignore pedestrian crossings put vulnerable individuals at risk. "Cyclists gamble on the fact that pedestrians will move out of the way, ignoring any hidden vulnerabilities."
The City of London Corporation has promised to take the issue of accessibility seriously and ensure that the city's streets are safe and usable for everyone. However, with work on the cycleway having been given the green light, concerns remain about the safety of pedestrians using the crossing. As one woman waiting at the bus stop noted, "It's not the cyclists' fault – there's little chance to break in time."
