OCBC Cycle, planned for May 3-4, switches to virtual event due to lack of security personnel
No other available weekend at Sports Hub this year; full refunds will be given to all participants
[SINGAPORE] This year’s OCBC Cycle – the largest mass cycling event in Singapore – will be converted to a pure virtual ride format because of insufficient security personnel, the local bank announced on Thursday (Apr 17) morning.
The 17th edition of this annual sports event was originally planned to take place on the weekend of May 3 and 4, with some 7,000 riders in various categories taking to the streets.
“Given the scale of OCBC Cycle, massive security resources are required for the event’s road closures to ensure the security and safety of all event participants and other road users. During the weekend of May 3 and 4, such resources will be limited,” said OCBC.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Parliament had been dissolved and that Singapore’s next general election will be held on May 3, which has also been declared a public holiday.
OCBC said that all participants, including those who have signed up for the 100 km Virtual Ride and the Round Island Virtual Ride, will receive a full refund by the end of May.
No other suitable venue
OCBC said that the event could not be rescheduled to another date, as adequate space at the Singapore Sports Hub was “not available on any other weekend” for the rest of this year.
A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU
Friday, 2 pm
Lifestyle
Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself.
The option to move OCBC Cycle to another venue was also explored. However, the bank explained that there was currently “no other suitable venue” in Singapore that could accommodate long-distance cycling city routes for as many as 7,000 cyclists.
However, this is not the first time that OCBC Cycle is going fully virtual. Five years ago during the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 edition was cancelled and replaced with a virtual event.
This year, mass ride participants can take part in the virtual rides for free. The OCBC Cycle Speedway Open Championship – which is a competitive category – will be cancelled entirely due to the race format.
The other categories – Sportive Ride (40 km), Foldie Ride by Brompton (40 km), The Straits Times Ride (20 km) and Mighty Savers Kids Ride – will be converted to virtual ones instead.
Cyclists have until Jun 2 to complete these virtual rides. They must pedal the full distance – whether outdoors or indoors – in one go in order to be considered to have completed their event.
There is no change to the requirements for the Round Island Virtual Ride, in which participants need to complete a cycling route around the island in a single ride. Those who signed up for the 100 km Virtual Ride can continue to complete this distance within four rides.
To show proof of the completion of the virtual ride, a participant must use a fitness tracker or a workout app on a smartphone that can record the ride details. These details must be submitted to the organisers by Jun 2. Once they are verified, participants will receive their medals in the post.
Cyclists can also collect their event pack at the Sports Hub’s Visitor Centre from May 2 to 4.
Registrations for the event, which began in February, have already closed. OCBC said that all contests and promotions will proceed as planned, and prizes for all winners will be given out.
Copyright SPH Media. All rights reserved.
