Darlington is one of the six areas named as Cycling Demonstration Towns and granted £1.5million in Department for Transport funding over three years to encourage cycling in the area.
Speaking at the first Cycling Demonstration Towns conference in Birmingham, Transport Minister Rosie Winterton said:
'Darlington's innovative 'Local Motion' and 'Medal Motion' promotional campaigns have been trailblazers in encouraging local people to get on their bikes. I was particularly pleased to hear that their work with children has seen a quadrupling in the rates of pupils cycling to school.
"Their initiative clearly has very strong local support with over 10,000 residents in their sustainable travel supporters club."
"Darlington's success in getting people cycling can only help tackle congestion and pollution in the area, as well as encouraging a fitter, healthier population. Darlington's experience is a great example for other authorities to follow."
Darlington is also one of the Department for Transport's Sustainable Travel Towns, complementing its work in promoting cycling. As a cycling demonstration town, they are investing in cycle routes, as well as marketing cycling through campaigns called 'Local Motion and 'Medal Motion'.
