Breeze is a nationwide programme funded by the National Lottery through the Sport England's Active Women's Fund intended to narrow the gap between men and women who cycle regularly.

The bike rides are intended to be local, friendly and informal, as well as being run by women over short traffic free routes.

They are designed as such to attract busy mothers looking to cycle casually and easily with local women.

Three times as many men currently cycle as women, with a British Cycling survey this year showing that the main reasons for the disparity are safety concerns, little knowledge of routes and a lack of cycling companions.

More than 1,000 Local Breeze champions will be trained to organise the rides, which are designed to fit around busy work schedules and the pressures of everyday family life, as well as being open to women of all ages and abilities.

Natalie Justice, network manager at British Cycling, said: "Currently only two per cent of women cycle regularly compared to six per cent of men, yet we know that nearly one million women would like the opportunity to get out on their bikes and socialise with other women.

"Breeze gives them the chance to do just that on their doorstep and change cycling for women forever.

"If you'd like to get out on your bike, whether it's for the first time or after a long break, Breeze is for you."

The first rides will be in June before they roll out across England and Jennie Price, chief executive of Sport England, said: "Breeze is responding to what women want by offering them a fun and flexible way to get involved in cycling.

"Our investment of almost one million pounds of Lottery funding in Breeze will help us to tackle the gender gap in sport and deliver a mass participation legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Of the 80,000 women the programme aims to encourage to get on their bikes, it hopes that a quarter will become regular cyclists within three years to counter the trend that has seen 35,000 women give up cycling in recent years.

To find a Breeze bike ride in your local area or to find out how to become a Local Breeze Champion click here. 

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