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British Cycling and HSBC UK’s women’s only initiative – HSBC UK Breeze – is celebrating its seventh anniversary this year.
The initiative has also hit the milestone of so far filling 200,000 places on its free led rides.
The UK-wide programme, which offers women of all abilities the chance to get back into cycling via free female-led bike rides has proved to be a success in its seven years, making cycling more welcoming to women.
To mark the milestone, a group of local ride leaders from Northamptonshire will take part in a procession ride in the historic market town of Daventry, the finishing point of the second stage of the 2018 OVO Energy Women’s Tour.
British Cycling chief executive Julie Harrington said: “I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who’s been involved with the HSBC UK Breeze journey so far, from Sport England who funded the initiative back in 2011, to HSBC UK and of course our Breeze Champions who are blazing the trail today.
“We set ourselves an ambitious target of influencing one million women to cycle by 2020, and to enjoy the benefits that our sport can offer. HSBC UK Breeze is central to this and is the perfect place to start – whether you’re looking to build confidence, improve your fitness or meet new people.
“The OVO Energy Women’s Tour is a celebration of incredible female talent, and I can’t think of a better place to celebrate this milestone.”
Luke Harper, HSBC UK’s head of the British Cycling partnership, added: “HSBC UK Breeze is a breath of fresh air to cycling; a free guided ride, led by women for women, and it is fantastic news that it has been embraced by so many.
“The impact of getting women back onto a bike shouldn’t be underestimated, not only will it help them get and stay active, they will also help create a greener, fitter, healthier country, and those with children have a great opportunity to pass this important life skill on to a new generation.”
More than 2,000 trained volunteer Breeze Champions organise and lead rides across the UK.
