OCBC Cycle returns with physical event for first time in 2 years, up to 2,000 cyclists allowed

SINGAPORE — After a two-year hiatus, cyclists here will be able to take part in this year’s OCBC Cycle event in person on closed roads in May. This after the event adopted a virtual format for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This year's OCBC Cycle will be a hybrid event with both in-person and virtual rides.

Up to 2,000 cyclists will be able to take part in the physical event, OCBC said in a news release on Monday (March 14). At the last physical event in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic, some 6,800 cyclists took part.

The two in-person rides — the OCBC Cycle Speedway Championships and a new 20km City Ride — will take place on May 7 and 8 at the Singapore Sports Hub.

The virtual rides will take place from May 7 to June 6.

OCBC stressed that safe management measures will be put in place to safeguard the health and safety of the participants in the in-person event.

Only participants will be allowed into the event venue over the two days in May, and they will have to be either fully vaccinated, certified to be medically ineligible for vaccination, or recovered from the disease within the last 180 days from the day of the ride.

Ms Koh Ching Ching, head of group brand and communications at OCBC Bank, said that the firm is excited to bring back the event to the Singapore Sports Hub after a two-year-hiatus.

“The 2,000-participant cap for the in-person 20km City Ride is a good start and we look forward to increasing participation limits in future editions of OCBC Cycle… Hybrid sporting events are here to stay and we will be able to support and energise many more people by organising in-person as well as virtual rides,” she said.

Dr Hing Siong Chen, president of Singapore Cycling Federation, said that events like OCBC Cycle played a “significant role in encouraging people to pick up cycling”.

“Bringing back a mass in-person event after a two-year pandemic-imposed hiatus will bring joy and a much-needed celebratory outlet to the cycling community,” said Dr Hing.

Registration for this year’s OCBC Cycle begins on March 14 and will end on April 25, or when all the slots are taken up.

Just last week, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong said that mass sports participation events are set to return, through more community events and sports festivals, as part of a "Bring Sport Back" plan.

Later this month, Sembawang West Biathlon Challenge 2022 will be held on March 27 for biathletes to compete in a 800m swim followed by a 5km run at the Woodlands Stadium.

Last December saw the return of in-person races in the form of the 2021 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. The event, which took place with a hybrid format, saw 4,000 runners spread out across four sessions.