Bruce Jonas, who runs his own mobile bicycle repair business
Brighton and Hove is
leading the way when it comes
to bicycles.
More and more businesses are
using pedal power to offer mobile
services which are convenient for
the customer and kind to the environment.
The latest is The Cycling
Gardener, otherwise known as Iain
Wilson, from Kemp Town.
The 32-year-old former computer
programmer started his business
because he was sick of working in
an office all day.
A keen allotment keeper, Mr
Wilson decided to try his hand as a
professional gardener.
He said: "I've been gardening for
years and started thinking about
setting up my own company.
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"But the thought of owning and
running a vehicle in Brighton was
a nightmare.
"Another gardener suggested
getting a trailer for my bike and I
ran with the idea."
Mr Wilson researched the idea
and discovered a similar successful
business in Norwich.
But he soon learnt Brighton has
its pitfalls when it comes to cycling.
He said: "The hills round here
can be a nightmare. I made it up
Bear Road the other day. It took a
while but I got there in the end."
Another businessman tackling
the city's steep slopes every day
is Ade Redish, 39, who has been
running First-Aid Building Services
on his bike for the past four years.
He does handyman jobs across
Brighton and Hove, mostly for charities
and voluntary organisations.
Mr Redish said: "For bigger jobs I
borrow a car to take the tools round
but for the rest of the job I will cycle
there and back.
"On a bike you can get to places
as quickly, if not quicker, than in a
car.
"You get noticed more and people
who are environmentally conscious
will see that you use your bike for
business and will want to hire you."
Bruce Jonas, 45, who has been
running Get-A-Fix mobile bicycle
repairs since August 2006, believes
being on a bike has helped him
undercut his competitors as well as
help fight climate change.
He said: "I started the business
because I wanted to do something
ecologically sound.
"My overheads are low because I
don't need a dedicated premises and
it is cheaper and more convenient
for the customer because they don't
have to leave their house or place of
work."
To find out more, call The
Cycling Gardener on 07989 972738,
First-Aid on 07968 249870, and
Get-A-Fix on 07928 116037.
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