It is sponsoring signs for the cycle route and a secure cycle park that will provide free storage for up to 500 bikes a day in Greenland Road, close to the event site.

Now people are being urged to consider travelling to The Tall Ships Races by bike - in line with Hartlepool Borough Council's desire to make the event as environmentally-friendly as possible.

Tall Ships Project Manager Michelle Daurat said: "We have been working closely with Sustrans, the UK's leading sustainable transport charity, to develop cycle routes to the event site and we would actively encourage people to use them."

Phil Roxburgh, HSBC branch manager in Hartlepool, said: "We are delighted to be sponsoring The Tall Ships Races cycle initiative, which reflects our corporate commitment to sustainable business initiatives that safeguard the environment.

"It's really exciting that Tall Ships is not only a green event in itself but that we can add to that by working with Sustrans to ensure there are accessible and safe cycle routes."

Neil Mitchell, Area Manager for Sustrans in the Tees Valley, added: "I have received an increasing number of calls in recent days from people saying that they intend to travel to The Tall Ships Races by bike, so it's important that they can do so easily and safely. The routes and storage facility have been designed with this in mind."

One cycle route will bring cyclists from the south via Seaton Carew, another from Hart Station will bring visitors in from the north and a third from Summerhill will serve the western side of the town.

The north and south routes both link into National Cycle Route 14. All will be clearly marked with specially-produced Tall Ships signs.
The cycle store will operate on a wristband system. On arrival, cyclists will receive two numbered bands.

One should be fixed to the bike, while the other should be retained by the cyclist. When leaving the site, the two bands must match. There will be different coloured bands for each day of the event. Event marshalls will ensure the security of bikes.