Yannick Read, 47, of the Environmental Transport Association (ETA), hopes that his device, called the Catclaw, will discourage motorists from parking on sidewalks.
The Catclaw deploys a metal spike when driven over, puncturing the tires of cars whose drivers attempt to mount the curb.
"We're addressing road danger — there's a real problem with drivers parking on the pavement or driving on the pavement because they can't be bothered to wait," Read said, cited by the Bristol Post.
The creator said he drafted an idea for the gadget after hearing disturbing statistics that some 43 people had been killed by cars in the last year as they simply traversed sidewalks.
"In one terrible incident a four-year-old girl using a scooter and a delivery driver crushed her to death in front of her mother — it's an extreme example but it happens far more than it should. When you think you're safe on the pavement you aren't safe," Read said.
Yannick says response to his prototype has been generally positive. Sidewalk parking outside of the city of London is currently legal, however, as long as the driver does not cause an obstruction.