A cycle workshop that saves old bikes from rusting away in landfill has been officially opened by Environment Minister, Jane Davidson.
The Minister visited the Cardiff Cycle Workshop in Ely which revamps old bikes so that they can be sold on to cyclists at low prices.
Speaking about the venture, the Minister said:
“The work of the Cycle Workshop is inspiring. It sees old bikes being repaired and given a new lease of life instead of being abandoned, it reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill, and it ensures that cyclists and community projects that want them have access to cheap, working bikes.
“As a keen cyclist myself, I am keen to encourage lots more cycling in Wales, both as a mode of transport and as a form of recreation. That is why the Deputy First Minister and I launched the Welsh Assembly Government’s Walking and Cycling Action Plan last year which sets out how we will encourage lots more people in Wales to walk and cycle regularly.
“By cycling more and using our cars less we can cut down on our carbon emissions and significantly reduce Wales’ footprint. Cycling is also a great way of keeping fit, healthy and happy and has the potential to help Wales’ reverse its growing obesity problem.”
The Cardiff Cycle Workshop is run by Cycle Training Wales, and is a not for profit social enterprise.
Since June this year Cardiff Cycle Workshop has taken in more than a hundred bikes and has already put 65 of them back on the road. Through their efforts they have already help to avert 1.5 tonnes of waste from landfill.
The waste facilities at both Waungron Road and Bessemer Road in Cardiff have cages where members of the public can leave their unwanted bikes. The Cycle Workshop then reconditions and safety checks the bikes before selling them on at an affordable rate, or making them available to community projects.
