Your concern about safety in public spaces is completely valid and shared by many city planners and community members. When it comes to urban benches, specific design strategies can effectively discourage skateboarding while maintaining functionality for legitimate users.
The most common approach involves integrating physical deterrents directly into the bench's structure. Designers often add small, rounded metal protrusions known as "skatestoppers" along the edges where skateboarders would typically grind. These are effective but can be visually subtle. Another method is to use segmented seating—creating individual seats with armrests or dividers that break up the long, continuous ledge that skateboarders seek. The choice of materials also plays a key role; smooth, hard surfaces like granite or polished concrete are ideal for skating, so using textured materials like ribbed metal, wood with prominent grain, or composite materials with a rough finish can naturally deter board wheels.
Perhaps the most integrated design solution is altering the bench's fundamental shape. Benches with slanted or angled seats are unusable for skateboarding tricks. Curved benches or those with organic, non-linear edges also remove the straight lines necessary for ollies and grinds. Many cities now opt for "leaning benches" or perches that offer support but no flat surface to sit on conventionally, which are equally unappealing for skaters.
It's important to acknowledge that this practice is part of a broader architectural trend sometimes called "hostile" or "defensive" design. The ethical goal is not to make benches uncomfortable for everyone, but to protect the longevity of public furniture and reduce safety hazards from collisions. The best designs achieve this deterrent effect without making the bench unpleasant for sitting. For instance, rounded dividers can prevent lying down or skating but still provide a comfortable armrest. The key is balancing safety, durability, and inclusive public access, ensuring benches serve their primary purpose: providing rest for all community members.