- Santander and TfL launch Tour de Force – London’s first sightseeing cycle tour dedicated to showcasing the stories of inspirational women through history
- Free Santander Cycles guided tour launched to celebrate this year’s centenary of the first women winning the right to vote in the UK
- Three-time World and Olympic champion and Santander ambassador Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill leads the first ride
Launched to celebrate this year’s centenary of the first women winning the right to vote in the UK, the free Tour de Force experience sees participants take Santander Cycles on a guided ride across London, where they will hear the stories of women from all walks of life whose amazing achievements have helped to shape the city, the nation and the world.
Among the many sights visited on the Tour De Force will be the new statue of suffragist Millicent Fawcett (the first female statue in Parliament Square), the memorial for WW2 undercover operative Violette Szabo, and iconic buildings designed by female architects such as Zaha Hadid’s spectacular Serpentine Sackler Gallery.
Susan Allen, Head of Customer Interactions at Santander, said: “At Santander we are committed to championing gender equality and supporting women everywhere to realise their full potential. London is a city rightly famed for its fascinating history and rich culture, but many of the women who played a central role in shaping it are not as well-known as they should be. We wanted to shine a light on some of the women whose amazing achievements have helped to shape our society and blazed a trail for gender equality.”
Deputy Mayor for Transport and Deputy Chair, Transport for London, Heidi Alexander said: “In London there is history around every corner and, with an ever-expanding network of cycle lanes, it’s easier than ever to enjoy our capital by bike. From campaigning for their right to vote to winning Olympic medals, generations of women have made immense contributions to our city and their legacies deserve to be celebrated. It’s fantastic Santander are offering Londoners of all backgrounds the opportunity to come together to learn about some of the pioneering women who’ve shaped our city.”
The free Tour De Force cycle experience will be running twice per day across four consecutive Sundays in August and September (19 and 26 August and 2 and 9 September), welcoming everyone from cycling beginners to experienced riders (aged 18+). Morning tours begin at 11am and afternoon tours begin at 2.30pm departing from Santander Cycles docking station by the Serpentine Sackler Gallery.
To reserve your place on the tour please visit: billetto.co.uk