Doing Business by Bike

Undriver #2415: Steve Richmond

Steve Richmond’s Undriving story starts way back in 1988 - when his beloved VW caught on fire on the freeway!  The shock of seeing his car go up in flames, combined with a new concern about global warming, propelled him to make some major lifestyle changes and live without a car.

Today, Steve runs his four-year-old business, Garden Cycles, almost entirely by bicycle.

“I couldn’t dream up a job more consistent with my values than native plant restoration by bicycle,” said Steve.  “It’s entirely possible, and practical to do it.”  Steve relishes the physical effort of bicycling, combined with his physical work restoring native habitats.  With low overhead, he’s able maintain a sustainable work schedule of 3-4 days per week.  His employees are strongly encouraged to bicycle as well, with a $2 per hour wage incentive.

Steve packs a backpack with a change of clothes, first aid kit, lunch, and water bottle, then loads up his trailer with shovel, pruners, brush cutter, and pick – even a wheelbarrow on occasion.  With native plant restoration he doesn’t do a lot of ground moving or rockwork, and even when it’s planting season, he’s working with bare-root plants that don’t weigh a lot.  “One time I had 400 plants in my trailer,” Steve said, “enough for a crew working all day planting.”

A side benefit of Steve’s transportation choice: he works locally, only for clients in West Seattle – which means he’s building community while getting exercise on his carbon-free commute.

One of Steve’s favorite aspects of his bicycle-based business is fueling up:  “One of the joys of life is good healthy food!”

While Steve’s commitment to bicycling is strong, he also appreciates the fact that he doesn’t have a way to backslide – there’s no car parked in the driveway.  But Steve says he’s not an extremist: “When necessary I’ll reserve a truck through ZipCar, and do what I need to do – then drop it off and get back on my bike.”

Most people can’t comprehend a business on a bike,” said Steve, “but there’s a growing percentage of people who get it – and support it wholeheartedly.”  It’s a small niche, but his business has grown steadily every year.  “It’s so unusual that people don’t forget me,” said Steve.  “I’m grateful to be able to walk my talk in the way I do business.”

Thanks, Steve, for Undriving – and providing a model of what’s possible for others!  -Julia Field