Cycle Singapore rebranded, new safety measures introduced

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Cycle Singapore has been rebranded as Cycle Asia Singapore, with new safety measures in place following the death of a participant during this year’s event in March.

Cycle Asia Singapore 2015 will be held from Apr 10 to 12 next year, and public registration will start on Jan 15, organiser Spectrum Worldwide said on Tuesday (Dec 16).

The event was rebranded after Spectrum and title sponsor OCBC mutually terminated the contract in July, following the March incident.

The local bank will be organising its OCBC Cycle 2015 event at the National Stadium on Aug 29 and 30.

Cycle Asia Singapore will have a range of categories – the Super Challenge, the Challenge, the Community Ride, the Junior Challenge, the Kids Ride and the Tricycle Ride – all starting and finishing at the F1 Pit Building.

The number of participants in the Super Challenge, the Challenge and the Community Ride has been capped at 9,000 – down from the 10,400 who signed up for the three categories in 2014, Spectrum Worldwide said.

Safety measures include compulsory qualification for the Super Challenge, to ensure that only those with suitable ability can participate in the elite category.

• The flag-off time of the Super Challenge has also been brought forward to 5am to ensure longer intervals between waves. 
• Experienced cyclists will be deployed to guide and assist each wave and more medical personnel will be stationed at “hotspots” along the route.
• Safety briefings will be held at the start line, and there will be enhanced signs and lane dividers.
• There will also be optional women-only waves across all categories and access to educational tools online for all cyclists, to increase awareness about safe cycling.

The safety measures come after an accident left 24-year-old national serviceman Chia Wee Kiak in critical condition after a crash along Sheares Bridge in the 59km Super Challenge. He later died from his injuries.