Personal injury lawyers have praised Darlington cycling group Darlovelo for their efforts to encourage more people in our region to get on their bikes.

The organisation says an increase in people choosing to cycle is needed to combat air pollution in the area.

Research compiled by the group reveals that an alarming number of people in the area died as a result of diseases related to poor air quality last year.

It found that 41 people in Darlington, 65 people in Stockton and 58 people in Middlesbrough died because of illnesses caused by air pollution, while around 1,000 people in the wider region had lost their lives.

Darlovelo’s volunteers run a bicycle sharing scheme, enabling members to use its bikes around the town. They also campaign for a better local infrastructure for cyclists and for more effective safety measures.

Matthew Snedker, of Darlovelo, told the Northern Echo: “Darlovelo is trying to highlight to people that this is an ongoing problem, but the solutions are not that far-fetched.

“If people were to walk or cycle more, air pollution would decrease but there would also be other health benefits. For all the early deaths there are plenty of other people who are living with a reduced quality of life.

“If you can get people out of cars then we will all have a healthier lifestyle.”

Paul Henderson, one of the team of specialist personal injury lawyers at Macks Solicitors in Darlington and a keen cyclist, said: “It’s true that the more people we have commuting on bikes, the less pollution there will be. However, there would have to be a huge change in attitude to see any real improvement.

“Motor vehicle manufacturers are continually bragging about their new low pollution engines and those who can afford to will buy them and choose comfort over the energy-sapping bike ride.

“Of course, it’s not possible for everyone to cycle to work but there are those who could, if they put their mind to it. We are making progress in the local area regarding increasing the number of safe cycle routes in and out of town and I for one have been persuaded to cycle to and from work occasionally.

“More work needs to be done on cycle routes to encourage more of us to join in. The efforts of Darlovelo are to be commended and it’s great to see publicity like this encouraging people to get on their bikes, even if it’s only once in a while.

“It would help if more business managers or directors set an example and encouraged their own staff to cycle to and from work, perhaps by investing in some company cycles for shared use.

“A gradual sea change in attitude could have the desired effect, but it will take decades not years to reach the standards of other countries, who excel on the use of  two wheels without a motor.”

Darlovelo’s figures were compiled using air quality sensors managed by the council to measure pollution levels.