‘Plumbers on bikes’ service launches in Bristol

A new eco-friendly gas and heating maintenance service is launching in Bristol. Nippychecks will use an innovative transport method – cargo bikes.

The fully electric service hopes to send out a team of engineers on the bikes to properties in the city to maintain boilers, central heating and electrical systems and appliances.

The business will operate out of its premises in Easton and will serve domestic homeowners as well as helping maintain the portfolios of city landlords and letting agents.

After receiving a £24,000 investment from South Gloucestershire business, West Country Plumbing and Heating (WCPH), Nippychecks was able to fund two new cargo bikes.

Sam Blakeney and Tom Godsell on the new Nippychecks cargo bikes –  photo: Barbara Evripidou / First Avenue Photography

The bikes have a range of 40 miles and a top speed of 15mph. They are cycle-lane permitted and can carry up to 150kg of cargo, fitting a tool box and spare boiler parts.

Sam Blakeney, managing director of Nippychecks and WCPH, said that the new company was following in the footsteps of similar bicycle services already offered in the city such as Deliveroo and Zedify, both of which have taken off in Bristol.

“There’s no reason why Nippychecks can’t do for plumbing and heating what Deliveroo has done for food,” said Sam.

Sam has identified a number of problems which he believes the bikes will solve: “It does its bit to cut congestion and improve air quality in the city, it provides a service free from the constraints of traffic problems, it’s cost-effective and ethical too.

“We’ve often thought that using a half empty van to splutter it’s way around the city didn’t really make sense for anyone. In Nippychecks, we think we’ve found the answer.”

The bikes are also made from recyclable and sustainably sourced material in Oxfordshire, by a company called EAV Ltd.

Leo Bethell, head of partnerships at EAV said: “We’re delighted to be providing two of our lightweight urban vehicles to Nippychecks and of course we’re excited to see them making an impact in Bristol.

“Cargo bikes help businesses complete more services and deliveries in a shorter amount of time by accessing cycle lanes and pedestrian routes, while actively reducing congestion in urban environments.

“We believe they’re going to play a big role in improving air quality and saving businesses – and their customers – time and money as well as making the centre of Bristol a better place to be.”

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Read more: Cargo bikes to carry library books and more to Bristol’s communities

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Speaking about the importance of the scheme in Bristol, Sam said: “We love this city and want to be part of its sustainable and cycling identity.

“While we’ve got a challenge in establishing Nippy as part of the property scene, once we’re really up and running then I’m hoping to add more vehicles to the fleet before too long.

“It’s a modern business for modern times.”

The business has set up a portal which landlords and letting agents can use to safely store and access all of their certifications.

The bikes also come with a tracker app, which will let businesses and homeowners check the vehicles’ progress and whereabouts.

Main photo: NippyChecks

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