Anna-May Richards

Bristol is European Green Capital this year and the city's many bike related events and cycle-friendly projects to encourage people away from their cars played an important role in helping it achieve this status. Are you are yet to be tempted onto two wheels, or otherwise looking to pick up a new ride? Then we can get you cycling with this look at just a handful of the many independent bike shops in Bristol.   The Bristol Bike Project Set up in 2008, the Bristol Bike Project takes used and unwanted bikes and turns them into something beautiful. As a well as selling refurbished bikes, the project runs a series of workshops and courses led by a team of expert staff and volunteers. Plus, if you want to encourage your school or business to cycle and repair their bikes, a 'Dr. Bike' service brings the mechanic to you.   <img id="e0a74b08-ab3e-9d48-740c-506d7cc303ea" data-caption="" data-credit="" data-width-class="" type="image/jpeg" total="3794119" loaded="3794119" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102799986/image.jpg" class="photo lazy inline">   What really sets this bike shop apart is its dedication to making sure that owning and maintaining a bike isn’t restricted to those with plenty of cash. Earn-a-Bike, After School Bikes and subsidised bikes for people earning below the living wage bring wheels to the young, the marginalised and bike newbies.  The Brist

Boozing in Bristol offers something for everyone; delicious cask ales, wheat beers, cider breweries on boats, hidden cocktail bars ... you name it, chances are that Bristol’s got it. So, with 2015 being Bristol’s year as European Green Capital, are there any pubs doing their bit to be green and give drinking in the city an eco boost? Of course there are! Here are just a few that care about their environmental impact and some of the things they're doing to prove it:   The Beehive <img id="d19b82e5-1610-fee3-9d9b-60b950da7448" class="photo lazy inline" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102492643/image.jpg" alt="" data-caption="" data-credit="Rufus Roberts" data-width-class="" data-mce-src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102492643/image.jpg"> Rufus Roberts   The Beehive in Horfield has recently been treated to a refurbishment. However, as part of the overhaul, landlord Rufus used only recycled furniture and made no new purchases for its interior. So, the Beehive managed to get a shiny new look while reducing waste and avoiding the large carbon footprint that making new things can create! Also, as a policy, The Beehive doesn't dish out plastic straws for its drinks and avidly recycles. Out back, the chef has his own herb and vegetable garden patch; something that's great for the customers and reduces food miles, too. 'It wasn’t in the business plan to have an eco pub it just happened organically,' says Rufus, promising there was no pun intended.

From July 8-12 Bristol's picturesque Queen Square will be hosting five nights of laughs, revelry and bewildering performances out on the lawns. Bristol Comedy Garden is set to return for its fifth year and this year it's a gathering full of wonderfully weird delights, drawing comedy lovers and – hopefully – some sunshine. Here's our pick of the talents that will be gracing the garden:  Aisling Bea, Wed Jul 8 Aisling Bea's high-energy performances animate her life with a touch of blunt whimsy. After graduating with a degree in French and Philosophy, Bea has gone on to appear in ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’ and to write for radio and television.   Follow Aisling's amusing musings on Twitter @weemissbea Mark Watson, Sat Jul 11 Mark Watson, with his self-interrupting style, delivers punchlines so naturally they seem spontaneously improvised. A home-grown Bristolian (doing a Welsh accent) Mark tells quirky tales of the awkward situations he gets into. Follow Mark Watson on Twitter @watsoncomedian David O'Doherty, Fri Jul 10  A tiny keyboard is David O'Doherty’s calling card and his songs are well established both in the UK and across the pond. It’s near impossible to hear his monotone verse without relating to the stories they tell. Follow David O’Doherty on Twitter @phlaimeaux Doc Brown, Thu Jul 9 Doc Brown started out on the UK underground grime scene and quickly became recognised for his cheeky, witty style. His skill lies in his ability to make the most mundane aspects of day

Everyone likes a freebie, right? Well if you want a taste of freshly-grown herbs, fruit and vegetables for absolutely nothing – nada, zilch, gratis – just keep your eyes peeled as you walk to work, go shopping or just when you're out for a short stroll around the Bristol.  Paying homage to international organisation La Via Campesina and Detroit's guerrilla gardener Ron Finley, the Incredible Edible project is all about food sovereignty and – that word of the moment – sustainability. The aim is to encourage people to take food production back into their own hands, like in the good old days, while providing healthy, free food for all. The past year has seen Incredible Edible grow its tasty movement from south of the river in Bedminster to the heights of Lockleaze. Groups of Bristolians spend their days building beds and planting food for public consumption all around, including Kingswood's Spring Hill, St Pauls and Fishponds, and they want you to eat what they grow. Make sure you check out these beds that are turning Bristol into the UK's first Edible City… Dove Street Sara Venn Castle Park Sara Venn Dame Emily Park – wild garlic and chocolate-flavoured mint Sara Venn   Sara Venn Millennium Square – cauliflower and cabbages Sara Venn Fishponds Sara Venn Even Bristol Royal Infirmary has spinach waiting to be harvested. And the great thing is, there's no catch: You can pick it and you can eat it, but you don't have to plant it. But you never know, you might fancy pick