A FAMILY is calling for tougher restrictions on town centre cycling a year after the life of a popular grandfather changed forever.

Brian Coates from Darlington suffered life-threatening head injuries after falling in the street last September.

Left needing 24-hour care and unable to communicate, the once vibrant 75-year-old spent months in hospital following the incident on Skinnergate, close to its junction with Post House Wynd.

His family believe Mr Coates was hit or startled by cyclists seen riding close to him shortly before he fell.

Witnesses told police there were three boys cycling nearby when the incident happened but, despite repeated appeals, the youths remain unidentified and the exact circumstances unclear.

Today, Mr Coates’ daughter, Claire Hodgson, urged the cyclists to come forward and called on the council to rethink cycling regulations.

Last year a heated meeting saw the issue debated by councillors, some of whom called for a complete ban on town centre cycling.

No such ban was introduced but Darlington Borough Council implemented an action plan following the meeting.

Ms Hodgson believes the authority’s decision was based on statistics showing a small number of cycling related incidents in the town centre.

Casting doubt on the figures, she said the authority had failed to consider the amount of accidents or near-misses not reported.

Urging the public to report any such incident, Ms Hodgson said: “The council says there aren’t enough incidents but I believe there are a lot of accidents and near misses that people don’t think of reporting.

“The council need to be more aware of them as they’re currently not going to change where people can cycle.

“What happened to my dad was an accident but it highlights the reason cyclists should not be riding in that area.”

Ms Hodgson also begged the cyclists involved to come forward.

She said: “These boys may be unaware of what happened but they need to know the repercussions of their actions – this has had a major impact on the whole family.”

Councillor Nick Wallis said a detailed enquiry had been conducted following the incident.

After hearing from Mr Coates’ family, police and cyclists an action plan was implemented to encourage safe and responsible cycling throughout the town.

Cllr Wallis said: “Cycling remains an important method of travel in Darlington and the council wants to ensure it happens safely for both cyclists and those around them.”