OCBC aims for cycling fiesta

SINGAPORE — OCBC Cycle, Singapore’s newest mass cycling event, will aim to offer participants a new and fresh feel, beginning with a new start and finish point at the newly-opened S$1.33 billion Sports Hub in Kallang.

The homegrown bank announced yesterday it was calling for tenders for the OCBC Cycle events in Singapore and Malaysia, with interested parties to submit their bids from now until Aug 6.

Details of the OCBC Cycle 2015 in Malaysia and Singapore, including event dates, race routes and projected participation figures, are expected to be revealed in the final quarter of this year.

Earlier this month, the bank — title sponsor of the past six editions of the OCBC Cycle Singapore and Cycle Malaysia in 2011, 2013, and 2014 — ended its partnership with event organisers Spectrum Worldwide, which will continue to host next year’s Cycle Singapore at the F1 Pit Building from April 10 to 12.

The bank will work with a new company on the OCBC Cycle 2015 in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Local event firms HiVelocity and Orange Room, which organise the Sundown Marathon and TRI-Factor Series, respectively, have expressed their interest.

“The popularity of cycling has been on the uptrend in the last few years. We are confident the new concept of OCBC Cycle will be a marquee event, delivering safe, fun and healthy opportunities for friends and families to cycle together, on closed roads, in the heart of Singapore and Kuala Lumpur,” said Koh Ching Ching, OCBC’s head of group corporate communications.

“That said, the safety and experience of participants will be of paramount importance. The size of the participation will be dependent on these two factors as advised by the new organiser.

“We are looking at refreshing the concept of OCBC Cycle in Singapore. It will offer new experiences at the latest iconic venue, Singapore Sports Hub, while maintaining a quality environment that will make cycling more accessible to enthusiasts and newcomers alike.”

The OCBC Cycle Singapore race helped boost the sport’s popularity here, with participation numbers growing from 5,400 in its first year in 2009 to 11,500 this year.

But this year’s race, which drew flak over safety and logistical problems, was overshadowed by the death of National Serviceman Chia Wee Kiak, 24, from head injuries after falling off his bicycle along the race route on March 30.

Clement Goh, who competed in five editions of the race, wants safety to be improved. “The safety of the route is important and it is crucial they group those of similar capabilities together and keep them at a manageable size,” said Goh, who competed in the 59km category this year. “Having it at the Sports Hub might be better than the F1 Pit Building as we won’t need to go on the highway.”

Although it is the new kid on the block, the OCBC Cycle 2015 has ambitious plans. “We see our six successful iterations so far in Singapore — and three in Malaysia — as just tune-ups on the road to greater things,” said OCBC Bank chief executive officer Samuel Tsien. “We don’t want to be just Asia’s best, we want to re-define what it means to be the best cycling fiesta out there.”

OCBC’s other cycling projects:

— In 2009, OCBC partnered Sport Singapore and the Singapore Cycling Federation to develop and train talented young cyclists to represent Singapore in international races. The OCBC Singapore Pro Cycling team’s notable achievements include the overall yellow jersey at Jelajah Malaysia 2013, and victory in Stage 1 of Le Tour de Filipinas 2014.

— The OCBC Cycle Singapore Safe Cycling Campaign was launched in 2010, with 8,000 jerseys and 100,000 car decals distributed since. This year’s campaign was launched at Yu Neng Primary School, with two members of the OCBC Singapore Pro Cycling team conducting safe cycling clinics for 830 students.