(From left) Decathlon KL City Centre unit head Rabbanni Kashlan, Kuala Lumpur traffic investigation and enforcement department deputy chief Supt Suffian Abdullah, OCBC Al-Amin Bank Bhd chief executive officer Tuan Syed Abdull Aziz Syed Kechik, and Multigreen Events chief executive officer Nezzam Malek during the unveiling of the OCBC Cycle KL 2024 route.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysia Police recently unveiled the route for OCBC Cycle Kuala Lumpur 2024.
Spanning a 21km stretch in the heart of the city centre, the roads will be closed for about two hours this Sunday, March 3 for the event which flags off at 6.45am.
The route will see several new roads being covered compared to last year, including a fresh stretch that goes through Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Tun Perak, Leboh Ampang and Jalan Munshi Abdullah.
With this, cyclists will pass iconic landmarks of the city centre such as Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad; Menara OCBC, the headquarters of title sponsor OCBC; the Petronas Twin Towers; Tugu Negara and the National Mosque.
OCBC Cycle KL 2024 remains the only annual mass participation cycling event on closed roads in the city centre with over 2,700 participants registered this year, including children for the newly launched Kids Push Bike category, the 21km ride and the 42km category.
Kuala Lumpur traffic investigation and enforcement department (JSPT) deputy chief Supt Suffian Abdullah gave the thumbs up to the event saying all preparations were well underway to make it safe, smooth and successful.
“We are pleased to yet again support an annual event such as this – in the name of a healthy lifestyle for Malaysians and to contribute to the sustainability agenda.
“We are committed to ensure this mass cycling event in the heart of the city centre will be a safe and joyous ride for the more than 2,700 participants this year as well.”
Supt Suffian added: “We hope this noble and healthy initiative which provides a great platform for our citizens and tourists alike to ride safely along iconic landmarks will be a memorable one.”
This event will be flagged off at Dataran Merdeka with participants riding through the closed roads of Jalan Raja, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Leboh Ampang, Jalan Mushi Abdullah, Jalan Jalan Dang Wangi, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Perak, Jalan P Ramlee, Jalan Kuching, Lebuhraya Sultan Iskandar, Jalan Parlimen, Persiaran Sultan Salahuddin, Jalan Sultan Salahuddin, Jalan Kinabalu, Jalan Lembah dan Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin.
Representing title sponsor of OCBC Cycle KL 2024, OCBC Al-Amin Bank Bhd chief executive officer Tuan Syed Abdull Aziz Syed Kechik said OCBC is pleased to continue being involved as title sponsor yet again, having begun the OCBC Cycle KL journey in 2015.
Prior to this, OCBC also used to sponsor OCBC Cycle Malaysia from 2011 to 2013, and became involved in OCBC KL Car Free Morning in 2015.
“We are pleased to have the full support of the police and believe the route for this year will provide an even better experience than ever before.
“We are looking forward to seeing the smiles on the faces of the eager cycling community members who have been supporting OCBC Cycle KL all these years.
“We are excited to see kids participating this year as well and look forward to seeing all the more than 2,700 cyclists this Sunday towards building a healthier and greener Kuala Lumpur.
“I, for one, am eager to get on my bike again this Sunday to ride in the heart of the city centre! And not just that, I’m pleased to share that about 400 of my colleagues will be joining in the ride well.”
He shared: “In line with our sustainability-linked efforts, I am pleased to add that OCBC Cycle KL 2024 will be even more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
“This means less use of plastics and greater respect for the preservation of our surroundings. This is an ongoing part of OCBC Bank’s agenda not just for OCBC Cycle KL but everything we do,” he added.
Among other things, this year will again see very limited or no use of plastic packaging for the event packs.
According to Multigreen Events chief executive officer Nezzam Malek, whose event management team organises OCBC Cycle KL and its equally popular OCBC KL Car Free Morning, the latter is designed for leisure cyclists while the former is for more serious amateurs.
“We look forward to seeing all these sporting enthusiasts this Sunday gathered to enjoy the closed roads in the heart of the city centre.
“There will be the kids on their push bikes, individuals riding in the 21km and 42km categories, and those participating in teams of ten in The KL Mayor’s Ride.
“I would like to thank the Royal Malaysia Police, KL City Hall, OCBC Bank and OCBC Al-Amin for once again being the force behind the event,” he said.
OCBC Cycle KL 2024 features prizes for 18 winners for the Individual category in the 42km ride, the top three teams for The KL Mayor’s Ride, and those who finish first to sixth in the Kid’s Push Bike category.
