Sébastien Simler, Jardin Naturehas gone from designing urban, sports and road facilities in a design office with over 120 employees to a sole proprietorship dedicated solely to landscaping. A journey he now pursues exclusively by bike
The appeal of bicycles is undeniable for many local service companies (plumbing, municipalities, caterers, etc.), due to their low operating costs, positive image and flexibility.
For Sébastien, cycling is not just a choice of practicality, but one of conviction. Convinced by nature, he decided, in the wake of the covid-19 crisis, to "go back to the basics of the landscaping profession" with an approach based on "respect for plants, soils, seasonality, a return to greater biodiversity".
A green space is above all a living space
Anchored locally, Sébastien works in Colmar and all neighboring towns within a radius of 6 to 10km. By moving closer to his family, this career change has also enabled him to get closer to his values. His aim is to "Promote an approach that limits carbon emissions, thanks to a sober approach, making the most of existing structures, using manual and electro-portable tools, adapted professional techniques, a rational intervention zone and, last but not least, the choice of a gentle mode of transport".
Courses and equipment
In order to launch his business, Sébastien benefited from Ma Cycloentreprise training, a CEE program supported by Adie, Ademe and Boîtes à vélo France that aims to promote professional cyclemobility and ended in July 2023.
After talking to fellow entrepreneurs who had already started their cyclemobility business, he opted for FlexiModal solutions, and more specifically the BicyLift which offers "great modularity and [his] imagination as the only limit".
Jardin Nature operates in a wide range of landscaping fields. From design to follow-up, including creation, implementation, maintenance and coaching. I work with individuals, condominiums and businesses alike. My eco-responsible approach is clearly on display, and it's on this desire to share a different, more resilient approach, respectful of the environment and conducive to the return of life, that customers contact me.
To respect these living spaces, it's important to be educational when it comes to leaving a few "wild" grasses to nature, where they would normally be removed.
The bike + trailer combination is a formidable communication tool. It's eye-catching and intriguing..
A question often asked is: "But how do you transport plant waste without a van?", to which Sébastien replies :
There's no waste to transport, only plant treasures to use in the heart of the garden. All pruning residues are shredded for mulching, weeds are composted, etc. The aim is to give customers a sense of responsibility and interest in their outdoor living space, and these solutions can even be applied to "above-ground" areas (patio planters).
The other company, Jardins au Naturel, launched by Samuel Volke within Colmar too, uses a Runner .
Go further
More and more professionals, craftsmen and self-employed people are opting for bicycles as a means of transport and advertising. The purchasing and maintenance costs are lower than that of a van or private vehicle. Moreover, a cargo bike, even equipped with a trailer takes up much less space in the workshop, on the street or close to customers.
Local subsidies are also available to help people switch from a combustion engine vehicle to a more environmentally-friendly mode of transport.
In the eastern part of France, a report by France 3 in March 2023 advocates the use of cargo bikes and trailers by craftsmen.
Landscaping by bike: when values, mobility and passion come together!