Author Archives: admin

Yes, I realise it’s more than a year since anyone posted here. There are good reasons.

Firstly, due to a gradual reduction in active members, Darlington Cycling Campaign took the decision in 2012 to merge its activities with Darlovelo. The latter had recently been restructured by its members, with the aim of expanding its campaigning role, so it made sense to combine our efforts. Darlovelo’s website is currently undergoing a number of updates that will reflect this change in the near future.

Secondly, all our contributors have over time become otherwise engaged. Richard & Beatrix are working in Bremen on cycling policy in Germany, Mike is a full-time family man, and Duncan is now working at Bikestop, leaving little time for any of us to provide a regular input.

Be that as it may, those of us who are members of Darlovelo will do our best to sustain this blog as the voice of cycling campaigning in Darlington by mirroring posts from the Darlovelo site. Meanwhile, if there are any other budding cycling campaigners who would like to get involved, please get in touch.

Darlovelo’s volunteers are preparing for the spring with a series of new offers for people wanting to try something bicycle-new.  Welcome to the Darlovelo Family Pack, a flexible range of bicycle equipment that can cater for you and your children from age 2 right up to the early teens when they want their first “adult” bicycle.

Research shows that the transition from child to adult bike usage is crucial if we want to increase the acceptance of everyday cycling in our town. Darlovelo’s Family Pack is designed to help, with everything from child seats to Dutch bikes designed for the young teenager, with specialist equipment such as the child trailer illustrated here in between. Full details will be available in March.

As promised in our recent newsletter to members and supporters, the Darlovelo Team has started to develop the new Family Pack of child-centred accessories with the introduction of child seat hire. We’ve test-fitted one of the top models on the market, the Norwegian Hamax Siesta, and this is now available for hire for from a month to a year. Rates are £8 a month, £20 for 6 months, and £30 for a full year.

One of the best child seats on the market, the Hamax Siesta child seat’s 20 degree reclining facility allows your young one to enjoy a wee nap while you pedal. Even when reclined, the Hamax Siesta has been designed to ensure the bike’s centre of gravity does not move too far backwards, so the bike remains remarkably stable to ride.

The UV-stabilised polypropylene seat is specially moulded to accommodate a helmeted head comfortably. This backrest is ventilated. The Hamax Double Buckle System is secure yet easy for the parent to open and close with one hand while supporting the bike with the other hand.

This buckle can’t be opened by the child. Adjustable safety harness and foot supports.
The seat’s integral rack adds an element of suspension to damp road / trail shock. Check this You Tube video.

Suitable for children from around 9 months old.

Maximum recommended payload: 22kg.

NOTE: There are no concessions on child seats

With autumn on its way, we’ve decided to bring forward our winter hire offer. You can book any of our available bikes for 6 months from today (September 3rd) at our special 50% discount rate. Just choose “winter rate” on our bookings page.

But hurry! Booking enquiries are already coming in, and availability of some models may be limited.