Callum Ross on The Cycling Gardeners Of Edinburgh: 'I thought this could be done differently and better'
Getting around Edinburgh on two or three wheels is a constant challenge and an occasional danger. Danny Munro talks to Callum Ross of The Cycling Gardeners about his path to pursuing an eco-friendly and socially responsible business model
The Cycling Gardeners is a collective of forward-thinking horticulturists who take a unique approach to getting from A to B. Rather than cram their tools into the back of a van, this Edinburgh group, as you may have worked out, is an all-electric outfit that traverses the capital’s sinuous streets on cargo bikes. ‘I basically saw gaps in the industry and the way it was operating, and thought this could be done differently and better,’ reflects director Callum Ross from Cycling Gardeners HQ (a caravan parked in their Tollcross yard) as he explains the rationale behind the pedal-powered planting business he devised during lockdown. ‘It feels like most garden maintenance companies are shying away from doing lots of short visits and you would struggle to find ones that are willing to go to the Royal Mile during the Fringe for one-hour garden maintenance visits. Whereas we’re able to carry lawnmowers through ancient windy stairwells into these pokey little back gardens.’
As anyone who regularly travels the streets of Edinburgh will know, the city is not always welcoming to cyclists. From angry motorists to bumpy cobbles, Ross’ cycling mission comes with many challenges. ‘Occasionally we do get what you call car-to-bike rage where there’s just some bad attitudes, but generally it’s not too bad. Edinburgh is a nightmare to cycle around, though,’ he laughs. ‘But even with the stopping and starting nature, we still get to places quicker than a van would.’
One of the reasons Ross and his colleagues are able to navigate Edinburgh so quickly is due to the Roseburn Path, a mile and half long active travel route that has recently become the subject of a sensitive political debate in the capital over suggestions it could close permanently to facilitate an expansion of Edinburgh’s trams. A biodiverse space that plays host to over a half million journeys every year, Ross stresses that its closure would mark a significant loss for his business and the wider public. ‘It would be absolutely gutting to lose it. I wasn’t aware of the path until I started this company. And then suddenly it’s like, wow, this just opens up so many doors.’
Though the environmental benefits of ditching petrol for e-bikes is clear, Ross is the first to admit that heavy-duty cargo vehicles don’t come without problems of their own. ‘Our bikes are big, so we tell the gardeners to go slow, basically to almost stop if you’re passing kids and dogs. But there is just the slight worry about these bike paths being adopted by businesses flying up and down with heavy cargo bikes; we totally respect the fact that there could be conversations about the use of these paths going forward.’
With an increasing number of tradespeople turning to bikes (Ross says he’s aware of a local plumber operating on two wheels), he believes solidarity is key to securing a future for organisations like his. ‘I’m keen to set up a cargo bike trade co-op; a group of us to get together to discuss issues as trade people,’ Ross explains. ‘Because you’ll definitely see more of that soon. There’s going to be a lot more people jumping on cargo bikes.’
Learn more from The Cycling Gardeners Of Edinburgh website and the Save The Roseburn Path website.