NEARLY 100 motorcyclists rode into a town at the weekend during a day of action to promote their use.

Darlington and District Motorcycle Action Group (Mag) also organised a commuter challenge on Saturday to demonstrate the effectiveness of different methods of travel.

The challenge, which pitted a motorbike, bicycle, car and bus against each other, started at Morrisons, at Morton Park, Darlington, at noon, making its way to the town hall via Yarm Road.

Quickest over the trip was the motorcyclist in eight minutes, followed by the cyclist three minutes behind. The car driver just pipped the bus passenger by a minute.

Local Mag representative Christopher Wooff said: "It was what we expected really.

"It was very encouraging, but it did prove that cycling and motorbikes are better for getting through the traffic than cars.

"The car also had the problem of finding somewhere to park."

After the challenge was completed, nearly 100 motorcyclists rode to the town hall.

They handed out questionnaires and surveys to people in the town centre.

The results of the survey will be handed to Darlington Borough Council, as part of the group's work in helping the council to produce travel plans.

A presentation on motorcycles, congestion and the environment was also given by North-East representative Ian Cook.