Annual workshops to promote safe cycling in parks

SINGAPORE - A new initiative to promote safe cycling in parks was launched by the National Parks Board (NParks) and OCBC Bank today.

Under the OCBC-NParks Ride Safe programme, experienced riders from cycling interest groups like LoveCyclingSG will conduct workshops that focus on different aspects of safe cycling, including awareness of pedestrians, types of cycling gear, and bicycle maintenance.

Three such workshops will be held at different parks across Singapore for three years, NParks and OCBC Bank said in a joint statement.

About 200 cyclists turned up for the first safe cycling workshop today at East Coast Park, before they went for an 11km ride around NParks' Park Connector Network to Gardens by The Bay.

The event ended with an outdoor movie screening of Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, which was open to members of the public and attended by some 500 of them.

"It is heartening to see local companies taking the lead on safe riding. With the increased use of our park spaces for social and family gatherings, and cycling being established as a popular form of recreation and sport, it is important to share with park users the correct tips on what to do and what to look out for," Kartini Omar, senior director of parks at NParks said.

huizhen@sph.com.sg