Organised by team Local Motion and the Events team, the Festival gets underway on Sunday June 15 with a celebration of cycling and the Big Bikeathon at South Park.
During the Big Bikeathon families cycle around South Park to raise money for Leukemia Research.
There is also music and entertainment especially for young children taking part in the event.
The event starts at 10.30am and people can just turn up and enter on the day. More than 100 families are expected to take part in this annual event to raise funds for the charity.
The Big Bikeathon is followed by the Darlington Cycling Festival at 11am. This year's festival includes a wide variety of attractions for cyclists of all ages and abilities, including:
• Demonstrations from Team Extreme, the UK's only professional team for BMX biking, skateboarding and inline skating. The team will also be giving coaching sessions.
• The Company of Cyclists, with their Get Cycling Bike Try-out Roadshow, which has a selection of interesting and unusual cycles for people to try
• Darlington Toy Library will offer bike try outs for tots and young children.
• Cyclemagic while showcase a historical bike display.
• There will also be a variety of stalls from team Local Motion, Road Safety, Bikeability, and the Darlington Cycling Campaign, plus kids’ crafts, ice cream and music.
The next event in the Festival of Cycling takes place on Wednesday June 18 and is an evening cycle ride to Walworth, leaving from the Dolphin Centre at 6.30pm, lasting two-and-a-half hours, stopping at Archer’s ice cream parlour on the way.
It is free, and a trained cycle leader will accompany cyclists. Anyone taking part should make sure they have cycle lights with them.
Thursday June 19 sees an author talk by Alastair Humphreys at Crown Street Library at 7pm. As a round the world cyclist, author and adventurer Alastair will be talking about the second volume of his book 'Thunder and Sunshine' - an account of his cycle trip around the world.
Copies of the book will be available on the night with all profits going to the Teenage Cancer Trust. There is no charge but places are limited so booking is essential. To book a place or for more information about the Festival of Cycling contact Greg McDougall on 01325 388721 / greg.mcdougall@darlington.gov.uk/ or go to the website www.dothelocalmotion.co.uk.