The OCBC CYCLE 2018 Launch Event

This year, riders who wish to take part in OCBC Cycle 2018 need not worry about not owning a bicycle.

A FIRST OF ITS KIND PARTNERSHIP WITH MOBIKE

This is because Singapore’s biggest cycling fiesta, which takes place on 5 & 6 May, is offering 2,000 bicycles for participants to take part in OCBC Cycle – in a first of its kind partnership with bike sharing firm MoBike.

Said Samuel Tsien, Group CEO of OCBC bank, “With the growing acceptance of the bike sharing culture in Singapore, we have collaborated with MoBike so that you do not need to own a bicycle to ride in OCBC Cycle 2018. Or as we like to say: no bike, no problem!”

The bike rental service is completely free of charge for use at the event at the National Stadium and without a doubt, this is wonderful news for participants who either face issues bringing their bicycles to the venue on event day or who do not own a bicycle.

As long as they create a MoBike account, participants can redeem a free bike for use over the event weekend while stocks last.

Why have the partnership with MoBike, anyway? Said Koh Ching Ching, Head of Group Corporate Communications, OCBC Bank, “Our partnership with Mobike this year will enable people who want to take part but have no bicycles, or those who find it challenging to bring their bicycles down to the venue, to enjoy an exciting and exhilarating cycling experience on closed roads.”

She added, “We believe that this service will be well-accepted because Singaporeans are quite used to the concept of bike-sharing, and they will like the convenience of having bicycles made available for them at OCBC Cycle.”

As well, all riders of OCBC Cycle 2018 are entitled to a complimentary 2018 pass for MoBike bike share rides till 31 December. This allows participants plenty of time to try out the MoBikes ahead of OCBC Cycle 2018 and familiarise themselves with the handling of the bicycle, thus ensuring a safe ride for everyone.

OCBC CYCLE LAUNCHES TODAY

The partnership with MoBike had been one of several new initiatives that were announced at the official OCBC Cycle 2018 launch event, which took place today noon at OrchardGateway.

Said Samuel, “We are delighted to kick off OCBC Cycle 2018, which comes with new and exciting elements. Come 5 & 6 May, riders can once again have fun with their families, friends and colleagues riding on closed roads and appreciating some of Singapore’s most scenic spots.”

The launch event, which began at 12 noon, kicked off with a lion dance and drumming performance by MINDS, a voluntary welfare organisation for the intellectually disabled in Singapore.

MINDS stands for Movement of the Intellectually Disabled Of Singapore.

This magical performance was then followed with the registration of the cyclists who had turned up to register at the launch event.

After that, VIPs, event sponsors and special guests then congregated at the main stage area for photo opportunities and to mingle with each other.

A fortune god also made an appearance at the launch event, giving out “good luck charms” in the form of gold chocolate coins. This was a nice and interesting touch to the launch event, and tying in nicely with the Chinese New Year season too.

To quench the thirst of cyclists at the event and rehydrate those who were braving the heat to line up for their OCBC Cycle slots, local brand 100PLUS was also handing out small cups of isotonic drink. They will be the isotonic drink sponsors at OCBC Cycle 2018.

And there were certainly a lot of riders who needed the hydration – in fact, by the time I had got to the launch event at around 11.20am, more than 170 cyclists had already turned up to queue and the number was growing rapidly.

FIRST 300 CYCLISTS TO SIGN UP AT THE LAUNCH RECEIVED AN ATTRACTIVE GOODIE BAG

This was largely because the first 300 cyclists to come down to the launch event to register for OCBC Cycle 2018 were entitled to a huge goodie bag stuffed with attractive goodies.

Participants lining up could sign up for either the 42km Sportive Ride or the 23km Straits Times Ride.

Photo credit to OCBC CYCLE.

First in line was Xavier Niam Xing Rong, 24, a Student at the University of London at SIM, who had turned up at 10pm last night to book his slot for Singapore’s biggest cycling fiesta.

This was Xavier’s second year taking part in the OCBC Cycle. He said, “My interest in OCBC Cycle started last year. I came at this timing and I was second in the queue; I was late by five minutes So this year I decided to come slightly earlier.”

The second person in line eventually arrived an hour after Xavier. Said the rider, “So I had thought to myself, I should have stayed home for an extra half an hour.”

In the queue, Xavier mainly passed the time by watching movies, chatting to the other queuers and attempting to sleep.

He said “Some of the people in line recognised me too from last year and they were like, oh you finally got your first place.”

For his time and efforts, Xavier got 25 per cent off his OCBC Cycle registration fees as well as a goodie bag worth $758 and containing $200 OrchardGateway shopping vouchers, a Timbuk2 Tandem Panier Cycling Bag, Polar A360 training watch and a $50 Polar voucher.

The next 299 riders in line received registration fee discounts of up to 25 per cent, and goodie bags containing Polar fitness trackers Timbuk2 bags and vouchers,

They also got a chance to win an AngBao containing cash of up to $88 in a special OCBC Cycle Sure Win AngBao Lucky Dip.

RIDING ON CLOSED ROADS

Besides the goodie bag, the chance to ride on closed roads and expressways was the main factor that had resulted in Xavier returning to OCBC Cycle.

He said, “The biggest draw factor was that we get the chance to ride on the expressways. You don’t get to do that very often in Singapore. That aside, the whole event is also really nicely done in terms of smoothness and safety, and it is a great way to promote healthy living too.”

The chance to ride on closed roads at the annual OCBC Cycle event comes thanks to the Land Transport Authority. Said Samuel “We have received outstanding support from a whole range of parties, without whom our annual enjoyment of riding on closed roads would simply not have been possible. Of the many local authorities who have made a difference, we particularly want to thank the Land Transport Authority and Sport Singapore.”

Xavier, who is taking part in the 42km Sportive Ride again this year, is a regular cyclist, riding about five times per week, for about three to four hours each time.

BUNDLING OF OCBC CYCLE WITH THE STRAITS TIMES RUN

Cyclists who also love running in addition to cycling, can get special discounts too, at the Straits Times (ST) Run.

This is because the two mass participation sporting events are joining forces to offer greater value to participants – as the sports entertainment scene in Singapore matures with rising interest for unique experiences.

The bundling of the two events aims to encourage people to have fun while keeping fit through two of the most popular sports in Singapore.

Said Samuel, “To double the fun for people who both run and cycle, we are tying up with the ST Run this year. Expect special discounts and exclusive programmes.”

Participants of OCBC Cycle 2018 can enjoy 5 per cent off their registration fees for the ST Run when it launches in March. ST Run will be held on 23 September. Participants who pay with an OCBC Credit or Debit card will also get a further 10 per cent off.

Similarly, participants of the ST Run will also get 5 per cent off when they sign up for OCBC Cycle 2018.

NEW CATEGORY, THE CORPORATE CHASE, MAKES ITS DEBUT

A new corporate category called The Corporate Chase is also making its debut this year – this category was created for companies who are looking for a more exciting platform for team building and bonding.

Companies can sign up a team of four employees to ride in the flag off wave of The Sportive Ride and the company whose team has the fastest combined net timing completing The Sportive Ride will be crowned OCBC Cycle Chase Champion, winning a Champions Trophy, prize money of S$400 and a champion jersey for each rider.

TEACH A CHILD TO CYCLE

40 special youths from MINDS will also be given the chance to learn how to cycle, together with eight Hong Kong youths from the Hong Kong Society For Rehabilitation.

OCBC Cycle 2018 participants can volunteer to teach these youths to cycle on bicycles with training wheels and they will be guided by coaches from the Singapore Cycling Federation.

These 48 youths will then ride in a special segment of OCBC Cycle on event day – giving them the chance to ride into the Singapore Sports Hub like anyone else.

SPONSORS AND PARTNERS

And to support the nation’s largest cycling fiesta, other brands which have come on board for the event are Timbuk2 who had also sponsored its signature cycling backpacks and messenger bags for the OCBC Cycle launch registration goodie bags as well as a $50 voucher for all participants.

Polar is also offering all participants a $50 voucher and Robinsons will sponsor a shoe bag worth $19 and a $20 voucher for OCBC Cycle participants.

Other sponsors include NETS, who is giving all cyclists a NETS FlashPay card containing $2 and Volvo, who is sponsoring the safety cars for the event.

These companies, who are referred to as “Friends of OCBC Cycle”, share the company’s enthusiasm in creating a vibrant cycling community in Singapore and over the next few months, will give participants great experiences and deals from exclusive promotions to prizes that the public can stand to win, as well as shopping vouchers and apparel.

Said Samuel, “Your support over the past ten years has allowed OCBC to continue supporting this largest mass cycling event in Singapore and contribute to promoting community spirit and activities that we can all enjoy.”

REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Online registration for OCBC Cycle 2018 is now open and you can sign up at www.ocbccycle.com.

Besides the two adult mass participation categories – The Sportive Ride and The Straits Times Ride – the Mighty Savers Kids Ride for families and children and the OCBC Cycle Speedway South East Asia and Club Championships are also available for registrations as well.