BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
British Cycling’s Breeze network has announced a partnership with Halfords aimed at inspiring women to take up cycling.
The Breeze network is the largest programme in Britain designed to get more women cycling. The programme is underpinned by a network of volunteers – Breeze Champions – who organise local rides ranging from six to 60 miles and more. Since launching in 2011, over 15,000 rides involving 60,000 women have taken place.
Halfords is partnering with Breeze as part of wider plans to encourage more women to cycle. The partnership will involve promotion of British Cycling’s Breeze network and its benefits, a new ‘ladies night’ teaching basic bike maintenance as well as bike mechanic support at some Breeze events.
Breeze project manager, Natalie Justice, said:
“This collaboration with Halfords demonstrates a growing appetite for creating an environment and incentives that will in turn inspire more women to give cycling a go. The women’s cycling market has huge growth potential and we look forward to working with other businesses to grow our Breeze network even further.”
Commercial director at Halfords, Emma Fox, said:
“More women are taking up cycling as commuters, for serious fitness and for fun with friends, but we know more can, and should, be done to attract and support women.
“We want to break down the barriers by supporting networks like Breeze, stocking a wider range of female-specific products in store and helping women feel empowered to cycle. By working together, we can make a difference and increase the number of women cycling in the UK.”
