GWYRDDIO Penarth Greening (GPG) were very happy to give their monthly Green Award for January to the Bike Shop in Glebe Street.

Vice-chairwoman, Catherine Wenger, herself a very keen cyclist, said: “You can't get much greener than getting around on a bicycle, and with the new links to Cardiff, it’s a great time to consider using a bike."

The Bike Shop, which is run by Mark Stephens and Simon Rooney, not only qualifies because it services and repairs bicycles, but also because Mark and Simon only sell second-hand bikes which they recondition.

This gains them extra brownie points in terms of recycling.

“More people are getting into biking as they see the rewards,” said Mark.

"It is healthy, good for the environment and is much cheaper than getting around by car or public transport."

GPG would like to see more attention given to the needs of cyclists generally, and they were pleased to learn that the Town Council is to provide more places to park bikes in town. GPG is encouraging people who don’t yet cycle to think about it now as the weather begins to improve. It is, they say, a genuinely sustainable means of transport and, although Penarth does have a some steep hills, on the whole it is easy to get around. Catherine also enjoys cycling because of “the wonderful sense of community between cyclists which make it even more enjoyable".

Quite apart from the selling and servicing side of their business, Mark and Simon are keen to encourage people to learn about maintaining their bicycles, and will lay on demonstrations for groups. “Caring for your bike is essential if you want to have trouble-free travel on two wheels and get around on a bike that is safe and won’t let you down," said Simon.

The Bike Shop is part of GPG’s Shop in Penarth (SiP) scheme which is highlighting the importance to the town and the environment of shopping locally. SiP cards, which cost £1, can be bought at any of the 50 participating businesses – lists available in Glebe Street Post Office, Fourways, Richard Snell and at www.gpgpenarth.org.uk