CYCLISTS in Middlesbrough are in a spin after increasing the number of journeys they make by bike by 72 per cent.

Data provided by Middlesbrough Council's automatic cycle counters, located in five sites across the town, show that the number of recorded cycle journeys increased from 82,486 in 2006 to 139,341 in 2011.

The statistics show the biggest rise came between 2008 and 2010 when the now defunct Middlesbrough Healthy Town initiative distributed more than 1,900 bikes to workplaces and primary and secondary schools.

The Government-grant funded programme enabled residents, workers and children to buy a new mountain bike, with helmet and accessories, at a discounted rate.

The town has also pushed for increased cycle storage at schools, new cycle maps and routes, cycling network improvements and the creation of the Middlesbrough Cycle Centre at Middlesbrough Bus Station.

The momentum has continued with the mass participation Sky Ride events and the creation of Middlesbrough Cycle Circuit, a purpose-built enclosed 1km cycle track based at Prissick Sports Base for cyclists of all abilities.

The facility was part funded by British Cycling and the Healthy Town programme and has had more than 10,000 users since it opened in March this year.

Councillor Brenda Thompson, Middlesbrough's executive member for public health, said: "There has been an awful lot of hard work put in to encourage cycling in Middlesbrough and the figures show this work has had a real effect.

To get involved with Tees Valley Riders email Gerry McBride on gerry@dontdrive onthe5.org or go to teesvalleyriders.org.uk