An example of a parklet cycle rack. Pic: Cyclehoop

Hackney’s first on-street “parklets” are to be installed now that the council and charity, Sustrans, have commissioned a firm of cycle parking designers to take on the project.

Cyclehoop were appointed to design and build the parklet, a space of bike racks and benches for cyclers to have a place to rest, in November. The design process is now finished, and installations will start in May.

Hackney Council is starting the project to promote a greener healthier borough.

Cyclehoop, which has award-winning designers who specialise in cycling infrastructure, was requested to build a temporary on-carriageway street seating/cycle parking are outside a parade of local shops at Pitfield Street.

Councillor Feryal Demirci, Cabinet Member for Neighborhoods said: “Hackney will be one of the first boroughs to trial a Parklet, a mixture of seating and cycle parking that we hope will encourage people to stay longer in the area.”

“We chose Pitfield Street because it is going to be part of the cycle superhighway. We will be asking residents and businesses what they think, and as it is just a pilot we could move it to other spots in the borough.”

Peter Wood, a researcher at The Open University and a former Hackney resident whose studies explore how people are using London’s streets in new ways, said: “Parklets are an innovative way of changing how we use streets. Not only will these provide a space for people to congregate and meet up … It will generate more income for business owners.”

Ben Addy, communities manager at Sustrans, a charity encouraging cleaner and more environmental friendly travel journeys said: “The concept – taken from San Francisco – reclaims road space and turns it into a place for socializing for those passing through on bicycle and foot.”

“At Sustrans, we believe the concept sends a clear message, that the street is a place for socializing and challenges the dominance of the motor vehicle. We hope that this will be the first of many across London.”

The inspiration for this project comes from the 38 first-ever public parklets built in 2010 in San Francisco.