Mr Willcocks, a Research Fellow at University of the Arts London (UAL) and Senior Urban Designer with Sustrans, reached out to Mr Hayles three weeks before he died to propose the idea.
Mr Hayles said: “He’d had this idea and knew the illness was terminal, but he wanted to do something that left a bit of a legacy for the area and for his community.
“Marcus’s humility and focus on others, even in the final days of his life, struck a deep chord with those who knew him.
“He understood that small changes in the urban environment could create moments of joy, reflection and connection.
“For him, this wasn’t about bollards. It was about people, place and the everyday journey.”
In a statement, the installation team thanked Bristol City Council for securing swift approvals so Mr Willcocks could be told the project would ago ahead before his passing.