A petition was delivered to Number 10 Downing Street opposing the rollout of bus stop bypasses. A bus stop bypass involves routing the cycle track behind the bus passenger boarding area to maintain the separation of people cycling from motor traffic, however these bus stops require a Disabled person to cross the cycle lane before boarding the bus. Other variants of these bus stops, called bus stop boarders, actually require the Disabled person to board the bus from the cycle lane.
This can be very dangerous for Disabled people, especially those with visual impairments. Navigating London can be difficult enough without the danger that these obstacles can present. The risk of being hit by a cyclist while crossing a zebra crossing, or not being able to differentiate between the pavement and the cycle lane is causing some people to avoid making their journeys. We wouldn't class this as inclusion for Disabled people, on the contrary, exclusion.
Our very own Vice Chair, Adam Gabsi, was among a group of Disabled Activists from NFBUK (National Federation of the Blind), that took the petition to Number 10 Downing Street. We hope that Rishi Sunak and his government reconsider this dangerous rollout and have more meaningful engagement with DPOs (Disabled Peoples Organisations) before such changes to the environment are made.
When asked for his comments Adam Gabsi said: "We are asking for the halt and removal of bus stop bypasses, (shared use) bus stop boarders and floating bus stops. This new type of bus stop has created a social obstacle for Disabled people, especially for visually impaired people, that can restrict us from making our journey and even leaving our homes.
Disabled people now have to cross a zebra crossing, via a cycle lane to board the bus, or in some cases are made to board the bus from the cycle lane itself. This is incredibly dangerous for Disabled people as we are faced, sometimes by cyclists who do not stop at zebra crossings. We want cyclists to be safe, but this should not come at the expense of Disabled people. It is not fair, it is not right, it is not just. We would want Disabled people to be able to board buses directly from the pavement.
Consultation is not coproduction, and this is why we are left with such bad designs. These bus stops were rolled out, following a lack of meaningful engagement with Disabled People and Disabled Peoples Organisations. Supporting footage is available, from the national federation of the blind (@NFBUK on Twitter/X), who have highlighted the danger of these bus stops and the need for removal."
ALT TXT: Picture 1 - Adam Gabsi, delivering a petition to Number 10 Downing Street. Adam is pictured handing over an envelope to the security guard at the door of the building. Adam Gabsi (Vice Chair of Inclusion London) is a wheelchair user, wearing a black jacket, a blue Inclusion London T-shirt and black trousers. The security guard is wearing a light blue shirt and black trousers.
Picture 2 - A group of Disabled activists, from HAD, Inclusion London and the National Federation of the Blind outside Number 10 Downing Street.
Picture 3 - Sarah Gayton (Street Access Campaign Coordinator), is wearing a grey hat, a cream jacket and black trousers, holding a sign that says “TfL - floating bus stop - safety review - not fit for purpose”
Andrew Hodgson (Executive Council Member NFBUK) is wearing a grey hat, a khaki jacket, grey trousers and a has a white cane, holding a sign that says “Sadiq Khans TfL - floating bus stop - safety review - not fit for purpose”
Adam Gabsi (Vice Chair of Inclusion London & HAD) is a wheelchair user, wearing a black jacket, a blue Inclusion London T-shirt and black trousers, holding a sign that says “London is not accessible to all”
Sarah Leadbetter (Access Campaigns Champion NFBUK) is visually impaired and has a guide dog with her. She is wearing a pink woolly hat, with a grey jacket and black trousers, holding a sign that says “no more shared use Bus borders”
Vincent Stops is wearing all black, holding a sign that says “no more floating bus stops”