Update [4 April 2018]:
We have been informed that The Straits Times Ride event is sold out.
But don’t fret! The Sportive Ride and the Mighty Savers® Kids and Family Ride events are still available.
Links to sign up for the OCBC Cycle 2018 are below.
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You see your colleagues almost everyday. In fact, you spend most of your time with them.
Add to that, this report also states that Singaporeans tend to put on weight after entering the workforce. An average Singaporean is now 3kg heavier than 15 years ago! *shudders*
When you think about it, social activities at the workplace usually involve food. Singaporeans love food and eating is an activity that anyone can participate in.
Sometimes, in a bid to make everyone in the office get up and move, some companies may schedule fitness days or organise team cohesion activities.
But these company events are largely predictable (read: boring); typical company bonding activities range from attempting a high-element obstacle course to bowling, or from a karaoke session to a movie outing.
These typical activities aren’t exactly what employees look forward to because they often do the same with their friends outside of work.
So, instead of doing the same old thing, here’s a suggestion to take part in a fun, annual event that everyone – and I mean, everyone in the company – can participate in!
Nothing You Can’t Handle With Your Team
OCBC Cycle 2018 will be happening on 5 and 6 May 2018 and like the past years, the roads of Singapore will be closed for participants.
The event flags off at the Singapore Sports Hub and will take you around the scenic spots of Singapore.
Breathe in the fresh morning air and take in the sights of the city skyline as you ride leisurely across the traffic-free expressways and roads.
Take selfies with your friends and colleagues like it’s your grandfather’s road!
Unlike rigid and cookie-cutter company activities like team-building workshops (i.e. ‘trust falls’), or poorly-organised Amazing Races that make you come up with a team cheer (*cringe*), cycling is all-inclusive and chill.
As this Forbes piece explains, “Activities that overtly aim to draw in leadership lessons or practical takeaways are less powerful.”
“Spending time together, sharing an experience or working towards a common goal allows bonding to happen more organically and far more effectively.”
Also, there are many reasons that prove a company that works out together, stays together.
These startups that regularly conduct cohesion activities for employees show that employees become more involved in their organisations and allow them to get to know their superiors better within an informal context.
Like this article that says “a stronger team…boosts productivity to bring about overall benefit”. It also pointed out that “companies with high employee engagement levels are up to 10 times more likely to see an increase in sales and profit”.
No Bike? Mobike!
In a first-of-its-kind partnership with Mobike, OCBC Cycle 2018 participants get to use 2,000 Mobikes for free during the event.
All you need to do is to download the app, sign up for an account, and get your bike at the Singapore Sports Hub.
The best thing is, participants of the OCBC Cycle 2018 can redeem a free bike rides for use the entire year of 2018!
So, if your event starts on 6 May, you can use any Mobikes to familiarise yourself and also for your commute outside of the event.
Get Up, Gear Up
If you know a coworker who cycles to work in the mornings or cycles from Jurong East to East Coast Park regularly, you can sabo them to take part in the OCBC Cycle Corporate Chase, a competitive segment within The Sportive Ride (42km) event.
Companies can register a team of four employees to compete against the teams from other companies, and each company can send up to two teams. The Corporate Chase is limited to 30 teams only.
The team with the fastest combined total net time wins the inaugural OCBC Cycle Corporate Chase, and each rider will receive $400 prize money and a Champions’ Jersey.
Teams that come in second and third receive prize money of $300 and $200 respectively.
But if you are just looking to have fun with all your colleagues, there are three non-competitive events to choose from.
The Straits Times Ride and The Sportive Ride are 23km and 42km events respectively.
To join the corporate categories, companies can register a minimum of five people for The Corporate Bike Ride and 15 people for The Business Times Cycle of Hope. More details here.
If not, they can sign up as individuals and they can still ride together during the event!
The Business Times Cycle of Hope Corporate Bike Ride lets companies sign up their employees in groups of 5, 10, or 15 at different packaged prices.
More than half of the registration fees will be donated to one of these beneficiaries of the companies’ choice, or be distributed equally amongst the four.
Kill two birds with one stone – do good while you get a workout from this!
Never Too Tyred To Ride
OCBC Cycle is not just for serious cyclists, and you don’t have to own a fancy bike to take part in it. You and your colleagues just need to be there.
At the end of the event, you’ll have photos of the beautiful sunrise and everyone can go grab a second round of breakfast together – boss’ treat!
After the event, you can enjoy all the freebies in the event pack, including the free Mobike pass that is valid till 31 December 2018, a NETS FlashPay card with a $2 stored value, and shopping vouchers from Robinsons, Polar, and Timbuk2.
All of these are worth $200!
Chope places for your colleagues and yourself from now to 6 April 2018, and confirm your places by 16 April 2018 before it all runs out.
Just follow these six simple steps below:
Register at the OCBC Cycle 2018 website here and find out more about the Corporate Bike Rides here!
This article is written in collaboration with OCBC.
Featured Image Credit: Vulcan Post
