Crash death biker Neil Hamilton was safety campaigner
A motorcyclist who died in a crash in County Durham was a road safety campaigner and teacher from Sunderland.
Neil Hamilton died when his vehicle collided with a Mitsubishi pick-up vehicle on the B6301 near Tow Law.
The 50-year-old driver of the 4X4 was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and later bailed.
Mr Hamilton, 60, was a "much-loved" active member the Cleveland Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), his family said.
Mr Hamilton, of Offerton Close, Sunderland, a former technician at Newcastle University's Medical School, had retrained as a teacher and did supply work throughout the North East.
He leaves behind wife Christine and sons Mark, 27, and Christopher, 24.
In a tribute, his family said: "Neil was a much-loved family man who was well-respected in his local community.
"He was a very keen motorcyclist, being both a member and organiser within the Cleveland ROSPA Club.
"He will be sadly missed."
The 44-year-old woman passenger in the 4X4 suffered minor injuries in the accident on Wednesday.
The road was closed at its junction with the A68 but was reopened later.