Southeast Asia’s first cycling lifestyle festival PEDALFEST SINGAPORE 2023 promises to have something for everyone with two days of health and film screenings, bike art performances and upcycling workshops, talks and clinics, spin challenges and free rides and more.
Catch special Bike-Films screenings
Among the movies that will be screened at PEDALFEST is Aunt Lotus & Her Dream Bicycle a Mandarin and Teochew language short film starring local veteran theatre practitioner Jalyn Han. In it, Han plays a blind grandma who dreams of riding a bicycle again. The short film made its world premiere at 2022 Cultural Extravaganza last June and now cycling enthusiasts will get a chance to enjoy this local film at PEDALFEST.
Another bike-film to look out for is MAMIL (Middle Age Men in Lycra) – a documentary about white- collar professionals who transform into lycra-clad weekend road-warriors and is narrated by legendary Tour de France and cycling commentator Phil Liggett.
Iconic BMX art performance and Upcycling Bike Art workshop
Another highlight of PEDALFEST is a BMX Art live performance by Azmi Hussin, a famous cartoonist, caricaturist, illustrator and muralist from Penang, Malaysia. The former BMX flatland elite rider-turned-artist will attempt to draw the iconic Singapore Sports Hub using his BMX.
Azmi – who once drew a record-breaking 320 caricatures in 24 hours – will also be drawing caricatures for a lucky few. For cyclists who have the artistic flair in them, there will also be Upcycling Workshops where you can reuse old bicycle rims and parts to create your very own Bicycle Lamp Art piece.
Stories of Joy, Hope, Accomplishment and Health by cycling heroes
Together with Azmi, Grace Young (three-time Sports Woman of the Year who now devotes her time to cycling-related fundraisers for Ambulance Wish Foundation), former national cyclist Mohd Tohar Hairi (winner of three bronze medals at 1973 SEAP Games) and 81-year-old Ravi Ramachandran (former Director of National Library and one of Singapore’s oldest cyclists) will share their cycling-related stories and offer gems of advice.
Kids Under 12 enjoy FREE Admission and Free Health Checks onsite
Admission to PEDALFEST for those under 12 is free. Children aged 6 or older can learn more about road safety through onsite Safe Cycling Academy clinics or enjoy free demo rides on trishaws provided by non-profit organisation Cycling Without Age. For the adults, there will also be free health-checks onsite by Bethesda Medical.
FREE workshops and clinics by Singapore Cycling and Triathlon Singapore
Singapore Cycling Federation is offering a Cycling eSport Experience for those 14 to 40 years old; while the younger ones from 6 to 13 years old can enjoy the 30min Kids Skills Session held six times a day.
Those keen to get into multi-sport or get their kids excited about cycling and running can attend Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions with James Middleditch (Secretary General of Triathlon Singapore and father to age- groupers Emma and Louisa) or sign up for Run-Bike-Run workshops conducted by Triathlon Singapore over the two days.
Cyclists of SG – Past, Present and Future, Together
Those seeking some speed can sign up for CycleFightClub – a daily eCycling tournament – where riders compete one-on-one using smart trainers. The winner will bring home S$500 cash and earn themselves an overseas cycling trip.
Former local champions and bike collectors will gather at Ciclo e Caffe Community Corner to look at retro and vintage bikes and there will also be a PEDALFEST Bicycle Photo Booth to capture all festival goers in their cycling attire over the weekend. The photos – together with future photos of local cyclists taken all over the island – will be compiled into a coffee book to be launched at PEDALFEST 2024.
Festive Pass comes with a Goodie Bag, Part Proceeds to Charity
A one-day on-site pass to PEDALFEST costs just $38 and it comes with a complimentary festival bag that includes a PEDALFEST tee, bike accessories and other goodies worth over S$50. First 500 pass holders each day can also enjoy a cup of artisanal coffee.
Tickets are already on sale at https://pedalfest.peatix.com/ and part of the proceeds from PEDALFEST will be donated to Cycling Without Age, an organization that empowers seniors to lead purposeful lives
FREE 3 months trial of revolutionary push-and-pull SoftBikes
Looking for more reasons to join us at the PEDALFEST? The first 200 ticketholders to register with the promo code ‘FreeMobility’ at https://pedalfest.peatix.com/ will also get to bring home SoftBikes – a revolutionary bike that eliminates upper body stiffness through the repeated movements of the legs and hands by using push and pull motions – for a three months’ trial.
Visit https://fireflyconnections.org/events/pedalfest-singapore/ for more details.
Images: PEDALFEST