The Darlington Cycle Challenge

The 2010 Darlington Cycle Challenge was a fun, free workplace competition to encourage people in Darlington to remember the joys and benefits of riding a bike.

Organisations and the departments within them competed to see who could get the most members of staff to ride a bike for at least 10 minutes. The Challenge was based on participation, not miles, and participants were able to cycle wherever they felt comfortable over the three week Challenge period. All trips were logged on this website and the results of the Challenge were updated live so that individuals and organisations could track their progress.

Prizes were offered to incentivise participation. Cinema tickets were awarded to those who cycled for the first time in a year, and to their encouragers; restaurant and shopping vouchers and other prizes were given away in three weekly prize draws; anyone who logged a trip for the Challenge was entered into the main prize draw to win a new bicycle; and teams competed to win a paintballing session experience prizes or one of six cycle prize packs.

Events were held throughout the Challenge to give as many people as possible the chance to try cycling. Bicycles were taken to participating workplaces to make it easy for staff to take part. A bicycle mechanic also attended these events to encourage those who already cycle to attend and bring their non-cycling colleagues along. Loan bikes were offered as was the chance to try a tandem bicycle.

2010 Darlington Cycle Challenge Winners

The winners of the 2010 Darlington Cycle Challenge who encouraged the most people to cycle for the Challenge are shown in the table below.