British Cycling and Scottish Cycling are delighted to announce that Breeze – our recreational cycling programme for women – has launched in Scotland.

Breeze has helped thousands of women dust off their bikes and get cycling ever since the programme first launched back in 2011. Breeze rides, organised and led by trained British Cycling Breeze champions, encourage and support women to get out on their bikes all year round.

The first Breeze Champion volunteer training course was delivered ahead of the Commonwealth Games at the Glasgow Bike station on 31 May 2014, and was attended by 15 women passionate about getting more women into cycling.

With cycling’s success at the Games in Glasgow secured, more training courses are expected to take place throughout Scotland in the next 12 months.

Reacting to the news, Katie Archibald, who rides for the Great Britain Cycling Team and Team Scotland, said:

“It’s fantastic that Breeze has launched in Scotland. I am certain that the programme will experience the same success here as it has throughout England, getting thousands of women back on bikes, enjoying the many benefits cycling brings.”

British Cycling will work closely with Scottish Cycling and councils across the country to develop a network of Breeze Champions similar to the one now established in England, which has trained 1000 new champions since 2011 to lead over 12,000 bike rides for women. Breeze is also working with the current Belles on Bike programme to add value to what is already on offer to encourage more women to start riding.

It is a strong network, and one that can help to embed the legacy of Glasgow 2014 according to British Cycling’s director of recreation and partnerships, Stewart Kellett.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted to see our Breeze programme being introduced to Scotland.

“Breeze events offer the whole women’s cycling community a fantastic opportunity to come together, share some memories and make some new ones too through fun, informal bike rides.

“We have had phenomenal success ever since the programme’s launch in May 2011, with Breeze proving a key contributor to our ambition to get one million more women cycling by 2020.

“The programme is having a significant impact on the cycling landscape in England, and I’m confident that with the support of Scottish Cycling and the local communities, we can see similar success north of the border.”

Scottish Cycling’s chief executive Craig Burn said:

“We are delighted that the Breeze programme has now launched in Scotland. The Breeze programme will complement the current work we are currently doing to improve cycling for women in Scotland at every level, whether as a sport, a recreation activity or as a sustainable means of transport.”

“Seeing the impact that the Breeze programme has had on women’s cycling in England, I have no doubt through our partnership with British Cycling and Local Authorities we will have similar success here in Scotland.”

Councillor Archie Graham, chair of Glasgow Life said:

“We all saw how popular cycling has become in Glasgow when tens of thousands of people turned out to watch the road races and time trials head through the city’s streets during the Commonwealth Games. There has never been a better time to get on your bike and join any of the rides through the streets and parks of Glasgow and beyond. Breeze is a great way to improve your fitness, meet new people and have fun.”

Full details of upcoming courses in Scotland will be released in due course.

Breeze bike rides are available for women of all experience levels, so there is something for everyone.

For more information, and to find a Breeze ride near you, visit breezebikerides.com