Get quality, custom cycle infrastructure or street furniture delivered faster. Every Head-Wind project comes with all compliance obligations fulfilled.
Trusted by Leading Organisations
Best Larkin Engineering Alternative - Head-Wind
Head-Wind partners with specialist metal fabricators to design, manufacture and deliver bespoke cycling infrastructure and street furniture tailored to your project specifications in as little as six weeks. Every installation is designed with BREEAM, planning policy, and active travel requirements in mind, helping you move projects towards completion faster without compromising on quality.
Why Choose Head-Wind Over Larkin Engineering?
Larkin Engineering has established itself as a respected manufacturer of steel street furniture and public realm products. But like many manufacturers in the sector, they only offer standardised products, nothing bespoke. Also, they typically work to lead times of around 10–12 weeks. That timeline isn’t very practical if your development is working towards a fixed completion date or your project is trying to recover lost time.
At Head-Wind, we offer a different approach.
Through a streamlined made to order design and manufacturing process, we deliver bespoke cycle infrastructure and street furniture in as little as six weeks. Faster delivery, however, doesn’t mean basic products or reduced quality. Every installation is still designed around your available space, architectural brief, sustainability objectives, planning policy requirements, and project budget. So instead of choosing between speed, quality, and customization, you get all three.
Whether you’re working against a tight schedule, trying to maintain momentum on-site, or simply looking for a manufacturer that delivers bespoke infrastructure without unnecessary delays, Head-Wind is the better option.
Why Construction Stakeholders Choose Head-Wind
Planning policy, BREEAM assessments, and Active Travel Ireland guidance are all pushing organisations to take cycling infrastructure more seriously. Whether you’re an employer supporting the Cycle to Work scheme, a council meeting active travel targets, or a school pursuing Sustrans accreditation, a properly specified bike shelter isn’t optional — it’s part of the brief.
Off-the-shelf shelters rarely fit the available footprint, meet the aesthetic brief, or satisfy planning conditions. A custom-built shelter designed around your site means fewer compromises and a longer useful life.
Premium Quality
Our projects are built using commercial-grade materials and protective finishes that prevent rusting. Every Head-Wind installation can withstand heavy public use and provide more than 25 years of reliable service.
Bespoke Designs and made-to-order
Rather than supplying standard off-the-shelf projects and having you mix and match, we design each cycling facility or street furniture around your available footprint, architectural vision, sustainability objectives, and operational requirements.
Value-Engineered for Budget
Every bespoke design is carefully specified to maximize value without unnecessary expense, helping you achieve the right balance between quality, compliance, aesthetics, and cost.
Compliance Ready
BREEAM assessment requirements, planning policy mandates, and active travel obligations are considered from the design stage through installation, helping you earn excellent sustainability assessment ratings.
Premium Architectural Finishes
Carefully specify the materials, colors, finishes, and installation style you want so that your custom design integrates naturally with the wider architectural scheme of your construction.
Complete End-to-End Service
Head-Wind manages the entire process, not just supply and ship. We provide technical drawings for approvals, manufacture bespoke designs, prepare your site for installation, and install the unit. Head-Wind also provides up to 10 years of post-installation aftercare.
Product Categories
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Manufactured & Installed
BREEAM documentation available
25+ year design lifespan
Need Help Specifying?
Not sure which shelter suits your site? Our team can advise on capacity, compliance, and planning requirements.
Custom Cycling and Public Realm Facilities Head-Wind Offers
Cycle Shelters
Purpose-built cycle shelters designed around your site’s footprint while supporting planning policy requirements and earning you BREEAM transport credits.
Two-Tier Cycle Racks
High-density storage systems, including gas-assisted options, that maximize cycle parking capacity for tight footprints.
E-Bike Charging Solutions
Grid-powered, solar-powered, and hybrid charging stations that help future-proof your development for the growing number of e-bike users.
Cycle Washing Stations
Self-service bike-wash facilities that improve the rider experience while strengthening your sustainability credentials.
Bin Stores
Architecturally integrated refuse enclosures designed to satisfy planning policy requirements while preserving the visual appeal of your development.
End-of-Trip Facilities
Complete cycling amenities like changing rooms, clothing lockers, showers, servicing stations, and other facilities that support active commuters during and after a journey.
Cycle Lockers
Secure individual bicycle storage to protect bicycles from theft and weather exposure.
Street Furniture
Security planters, benches, bollards, seating, etc., that balance building aesthetics, functionality, and Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) requirements.
Trusted by Developers, Contractors, and Local Authorities
Cycling Hub for Texaco Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow
Head-Wind installed a purpose-built cycling stop that combines secure cycle parking, a bike wash station, maintenance and repair tools, and e-bike charging points. Enniskerry is now one of the best-equipped cycling stops on any premier route in Leinster.
End of Trip Facility for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown (DLR) County Council
Head-Wind upgraded DLR’s cycling facility into a complete end-of-trip environment that now properly supports staff across all cycling modes. We supplied products like semi-vertical bike racks, Sheffield bike stands, e-bike charging stands, bike wash stations, and maintenance stands with tools.
Bike Hub for Residents of Cherry Lane, Cherrywood Village, Dublin
Currently Ireland’s first dedicated cycling hub within a residential housing scheme, Head-Wind designed this practical bike hub for Cherry Lane. We intentionally specified priority cycling facilities like a bike wash station, e-bike charging spots, secure bike storage, and a cycle maintenance station.
Frequently Asked Questions
Category:
Larkin Engineering
Yes. Larkin Engineering manufactures a range of street furniture, including benches, planters, and bollards. However, they tend to install them in about 10 to 12 weeks. If you need your street furniture delivered within a shorter time but still want a bespoke design, not an off-the-shelf option, Head-Wind is your best bet. We can deliver in six weeks and won’t compromise on quality. Get in touch today to learn more about Head-Wind’s process.
Category:
Larkin Engineering
Yes. Head-Wind value-engineers every project around your available budget, site conditions, and priorities. Our goal is to help you achieve the best possible outcome without paying for unnecessary specifications. Message us with your budget range and project spec, and we’ll reply with a tailored proposal.
Category:
Larkin Engineering
Some of the most established alternatives include Head-Wind, The Bike Company, and Biciway. Each supplies cycle infrastructure for commercial and public-sector developments, but they differ in their strengths. If your priority is combining bespoke design, short lead times, and complete project delivery, Head-Wind stands out. We manufacture custom cycle infrastructure and street furniture in as little as 6 weeks, provide installation and aftercare, and value-engineer every solution around your budget, architectural vision, and compliance requirements.
Category:
Larkin Engineering
No. In addition to street furniture, Larkin Engineering manufactures cycling infrastructure like bicycle shelters, stands, racks, and lockers. If you’re comparing suppliers based on product variety, Head-Wind offers all those range of products and more. But product variety aside, we also deliver custom projects in as little as 6 weeks and provide end-to-end project support. Send a message with any questions you have, and we’ll provide solutions tailored to your site.
