OCBC Cycle on May 3-4 will not proceed, event to offer virtual rides instead

The annual OCBC Cycle on May 3 and 4 at the Singapore Sports Hub will not go ahead as planned and the event will be converted to a virtual ride format, said the local bank in a press statement on April 17.

This comes two days after the date of the general election was announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Nomination Day will be on April 23, and Singaporeans will cast their votes on May 3.

OCBC said in its statement: "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."

The 17th edition of the race was expected to attract 7,000 participants in nine categories.

The decision was made for the event to go virtual because it "cannot be rescheduled as adequate space at the Singapore Sports Hub is not available on any other weekends of 2025".

"Today, there is no other suitable venue that can accommodate long distance cycling city routes for as many as 7,000 cyclists," added the statement.

All participants, including those who have signed up for the 100km Virtual Ride and Round Island Virtual Ride will get full refunds by the end of May 2025. Cyclists who are taking part in the mass rides can do the virtual rides for free, while the OCBC Cycle Speedway Open Championship will be cancelled.

The Sportive Ride (40km), Foldie Ride by Brompton (40km), The Straits Times Ride (20km) and Mighty Savers Kids Ride will all be converted to virtual rides and must be completed by June 2, 2025.

Virtual ride participants of the revised categories have to cycle the full distance at one go, whether indoors or outdoors. There is no change to requirements for the Round Island Virtual Ride and 100km Virtual Ride.

Those who are taking part in the virtual rides have to use a fitness tracker or workout app on a smartphone to record the ride details, which must be submitted to the organisers by June 2.

All participants can still collect the event pack at the visitor centre at the Sports Hub on May 2 and 3. After the completion of their virtual rides, they will receive their event medals by mail.