Floating Bus Stops: Improved Safety for Cyclists and Bus Riders

Committee: Transportation, Streets, and Sidewalks

Cost: $250,000

Location: To be determined based on impact and need assessments.

Short Description: A 'floating bus stop' is when a bus stops along the street, and a bike lane separates the bus lane and sidewalk. This project will build two floating bus stops for safer travel and benefit people walking, people on bicycles, and bus users.

Long Description:

This proposal funds the construction of new dedicated bike lanes and floating bus stops at one location in Cambridge. Floating bus stops - a design where buses stop at raised concrete islands - prevent clashes between transit vehicles and people bicycling. They provide a seamless flow for cyclists in a dedicated lane, as well as improved and more reliable access for people using the bus. Bus riders can step onto the bus stop when they disembark rather than onto the bike lane. Inspired by successful European models, this approach enhances safety, eliminates conflicts, and establishes a flow between bicycles and buses, redefining urban mobility. Cambridge has already built multiple floating bus stops on Western Avenue and in Inman Square. Additional construction of floating bus stops is planned for Cambridge Street. With this new PB funding, the City will be able to construct an additional pair of floating bus stops (one on either side of a street).

The benefits of floating bus stops extend beyond bicycle and pedestrian safety. They reduce traffic congestion as buses, not having to change lanes, pause for less time at each stop. They also ensure that the bus stops are accessible, as many of the current bus stops are blocked by other motor vehicle users. Through these measures, Cambridge can pioneer a transformative shift towards a sustainable, efficient, and user-friendly transportation ecosystem, helping set a new standard for American cities.

A floating bus stop on Western Ave.