Take the bike and make your route!

The Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and Las Naves have published a self-guided cycling itinerary to visit up to thirteen murals of the Dones de Ciència project, which highlights the role of women in science.

After the success of their two editions of guided cycling routes, held in 2022 and 2023, both entities are sharing this self-guide to do the route autonomously on the project website (www.donesdeciencia.es). You can also download it at this link.

A total of 131 people participated in the guided tours, with a wide range of demographic profiles, although in terms of age, the majority were adults over 35. As for the number of minors, thirteen people aged between 7 and 15 took part in the tours.

The routes have been designed with public safety in mind rather than speed, looking for cycle paths in perfect condition and encouraging the public of all ages who can ride a bike to use the route safely and comfortably.

These cycle routes will allow you to visit up to 13 Dones de Ciència project murals, with three different itineraries: Science that Embraces, Resilience and Patience and From the Moon to Antarctica.

The routes, suitable for all audiences, will let us know more about the protagonists of the murals, both the scientists honoured and the artists who created them.

Embracing science

The "Science that embraces" route passes through the murals of Mae Jemison, painted by Galletamaria; Hypatia of Alexandria (artist: Milu Correch), Anna Lluch (artists: Dafne Tree and Ana Langeheldt) and Pilar Mateo (artist: Alba Fabre). From Ancient Greece to the present day, this route takes you on a journey through the discoveries and stories of these great scientists, visiting the districts of Torrefied, Orriols and Benimaclet and ending in the gardens of Viveros.

Resilience and Patience

The Resilience and Patience route focuses on women scientists who have made discoveries in the field of health and delves into the importance of the perspective - and perseverance - of many women in the treatment of diseases that affect them, sometimes exclusively, and the advances that incorporate new technologies in physical and mental health. This route passes through the districts of Patraix and Malilla. It allows us to know the murals in tribute to Concepción Aleixandre (artist: Virginia Bersabé), Ana Freire (artist: María Antonieta Canfield) and María Vallet (artist: Rosetta).

From the Moon to Antarctica

And in the third route, the journey is the central axis. Starting from the UPV, where the murals of Margarita Salas (artist: Lula Goce) and Valentina Tereshkova (Alba Trench) can be seen, this route runs through the Poblados Marítimos de València and ends in the sea, on the beach of Pinedo, passing by the murals of Sofia Kovalevskaya (artist: Julieta XLF), Josefina Castellví (Cachete Jack), Hedy Lamarr (Carla Fuentes) and Anna Veiga (Marta Lapeña).

This activity is part of the Dones de Ciència project, which both institutions have been developing since 2019, with the support of the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, and which makes visible the role of women in science and art through spectacular murals spread throughout the city and its metropolitan area, mainly in educational centres. Since its inception, 36 murals have come to life thanks to this project, including the 13 that are part of this Pedalejant amb Dones de Ciència route.