By Vincent D’Silva

JOHOR BAHRU: As dawn broke over the city skyline, the usually traffic-choked roads of Johor Bahru were transformed into a rare and stirring sight: thousands of cyclists gliding freely through the heart of the city, bells chiming, wheels humming and smiles stretching wide beneath helmets.

More than 1,700 cyclists from Malaysia and 18 other countries converged for the inaugural OCBC Cycle Johor Bahru 2025, marking the first large-scale mass cycling event held on fully closed city roads in Johor Bahru.

Carrying the theme “Let’s Go Cycle,” the event signalled not just the start of a race, but the beginning of a broader conversation about health, urban living and community spirit.

The flag-off at 6.45am was led by Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) Director of Corporate and Public Relations Harulisam Ismail, alongside OCBC Malaysia chief executive officer Tan Chor Sen, Multigreen Events Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Nezzam Malek, and OCBC Al-Amin Bank Berhad CEO Syed Abdull Aziz Jailani Syed Kechik, Firman Hasani Sulaiman, Vice-president OCBC Al_Amin Bank Berhad, Ann Lim, Head, OCBC Head of Corporate Communications and Fiona Gan Huei Chin, Senior Manager OCBC Johor Bahru Branch who also joined the ride with more than 200 OCBC colleagues.

For many participants, the thrill lay not in competition, but in the rare experience of reclaiming the city streets.

“We are delighted to see the many smiling faces this morning at our first-ever mass cycling event on closed roads in Johor Bahru,” said Datuk Mohd Haffiz.

“This is not only an opportunity to promote a healthy lifestyle, but also to encourage stronger community engagement and tourism. I would like to thank OCBC Malaysia for being the driving force behind this impactful initiative.”

The routes catered to cyclists of all ages and abilities. Serious riders tackled the full 42-kilometre challenge, completing two loops of a 21km circuit that wound through key city arteries. Leisure cyclists opted for a single loop, while children took centre stage in a dedicated push-bike category, drawing cheers from parents and onlookers.

Teams also participated in The JB Mayor’s Ride, adding a spirit of camaraderie to the morning.

For OCBC Malaysia, the event represented a natural extension of its long-standing involvement in community cycling initiatives.

“It gives us great pleasure to host the inaugural OCBC Cycle Johor Bahru — a mass cycling event on the closed roads of Johor Bahru,” said Tan. “The enthusiasm we saw at the starting line at 6.45am says it all. It was especially heartwarming to see children enjoying themselves in the push-bike category.”

Tan noted that the event followed two successful years of OCBC’s sponsorship of the JB Car-Free Morning sessions, as well as eight years of organising OCBC Cycle Kuala Lumpur.

“We are ever grateful to MBJB and PDRM for their relentless support,” he added. “It is no mean feat to fully close roads in the city centre. This level of cooperation reflects a shared commitment to promoting healthy living and stronger community bonds.”

Beyond fitness, the event also carried wider economic and regional significance. With participants arriving from across the Causeway and beyond, OCBC Cycle JB offered a timely platform to showcase Johor Bahru’s growing vibrancy.

“We see this as a meaningful opportunity to promote the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and highlight Johor Bahru as a dynamic, liveable city,” Tan said.

Organiser Multigreen Events echoed the sense of achievement after bringing the concept to Johor Bahru following years of success in Kuala Lumpur.

“To see such a huge turnout for our inaugural event is deeply rewarding,” said Nezzam.

“Safety has always been our priority, and we are grateful to MBJB and PDRM for helping us ensure a smooth and enjoyable ride for everyone.”

The event was title-sponsored by OCBC Malaysia, organised by Multigreen Events, and supported by MBJB and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). A wide range of sponsors — including Pac Lease, Great Eastern Takaful, Brompton, Decathlon, POS Malaysia, 100PLUS, MILO, Sports World,N8, ECO Lifestyle Med Health, Proton E-MAS, Smart, AG Autoworld, EMW and Vitagen — lent support, reflecting strong private-sector backing for grassroots sports initiatives.

Beyond the ride itself, the OCBC Cycle JB Bike Mart added another dimension to the event, bringing together cycling brands, equipment suppliers, sportswear companies and lifestyle exhibitors, turning the venue into a vibrant hub for cycling enthusiasts.

Every participant went home with a commemorative medal, a digital certificate and sponsor goodies — small tokens marking their place in what many described as a milestone moment for Johor Bahru.

As the final cyclists crossed the line and roads gradually reopened to traffic, the morning left behind more than just tyre marks. It left a sense of possibility — that cities, even briefly, can slow down, breathe, and make space for healthier, happier ways of moving together.

OCBC Malaysia, which comprises OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad and its Islamic banking arm, OCBC Al-Amin Bank Berhad, is part of the Singapore-based OCBC Group — the second-largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets.

Backed by a strong regional presence and a long-standing commitment to the communities it serves, OCBC Malaysia has earned national and international recognition, being named Malaysia’s “Bank of the Year” for two consecutive years by the London-based publication The Banker.