Homegrown startup releases one-stop active mobility platform Ridenjoy

Frustrated by the lack of a navigation app to help him cycle from his Ang Mo Kio home to his office near Funan Mall without using traffic-heavy roads is what inspired Singaporean Kelvin Phang to create Ridenjoy.

Right now, most cycling and navigation apps recommend using primary public roads to get from Ang Mo Kio to downtown. In contrast, Ridenjoy, Singapore’s newly launched ‘active mobility’ platform – which utilizes Singapore Land Authority’s OneMap API – recommends cycling from Ang Mo Kio to Kallang Riverside using only park connectors. From there, a scenic cycling path – from Kallang to Parliament House just metres from Funan Mall – is demarcated in the app.

“Safety must always be the top priority for any form of cycling”, explained Phang. “After trying many apps, I realized I can cycle downtown safely using only park connectors and cycling paths. Thanks to Sport Singapore’s (SportSG) ‘Blended’ initiative, we have developed an app that enables cyclists to safely navigate around Singapore without using public roads and to truly enjoy the Park Connector Network (PCN) and Islandwide Cycling Network (ICN)”

“Cycling is a great form of exercise and an eco-friendly active mobility mode,” added Phang. “There is also much to discover all over Singapore by utilizing over 300km of PCN and the fast-growing ICN (that will be 1,320km by 2030). Using geo-spatial technology, Ridenjoy also allows users to enjoy virtual challenges, report incidents and be rewarded for stopping at local businesses. We want to harness the power of the local community to make cycling safer and more enjoyable while also connecting people and businesses. Through Ridenjoy, we hope to empower more Singaporeans to cycle every day everywhere.”

The recent cycling boom had resulted in an increase in cycling-related accidents. Ridenjoy is the first local mobility app that comes with an emergency ‘hot-button’ that calls 995 with two simple taps, sounds off a local alarm and alerts cyclists within the vicinity.

With Ridenjoy’s photo-reporting button, riders can share ‘otter-sightings’, warn others of a pack of wild dogs and wild boars, or simply seek help from fellow cyclists. Cyclists experiencing mechanical issues can use the Key Information for Cyclists icons to locate the nearest bike shop or self-repair kiosk; or while those in need of a rest-stop can locate the nearest bike parking lots, water coolers, covered shelters and more.

RIDEnjoySG, which is powered by the Ridenjoy app, is a grant recipient of SportSG’s ‘Blended’ initiative.

Launched in October last year, ‘Blended’ provides grants to local industry players with the intent of helping them to transform and bring sports back in innovative and engaging ways, through ‘phygital’ or hybrid events.

Commenting on RIDEnjoySG, Mr Muhammad Rostam Bin Umar, Chief of Strategy Group, Sport Singapore said, “Since its launch, Sport Singapore’s ‘Blended’ has supported more than 40 projects, targeting 150,000 participants. It has enabled the industry to create new and unique “phygital” experiences for the sporting community, including RIDEnjoySG. Through Ridenjoy’s innovative platform, which has been developed specially for local riders, we look forward to having more people stay active through cycling in a safe and enjoyable manner.”

As part of its beta launch, the inaugural season of RIDEnjoySG can be enjoyed using the Ridenjoy app. Unlike most ‘virtual cycling’ events, RIDEnjoySG is free-to-play and no purchases or wearables are required.

Contestants in the Sportive and Family categories must traverse the island primarily on park connectors and cycling paths to collect all the geo-located Joy Points. Those who love on-road cycling can join the Open category to collect Joy Points on a specially curated Round the Island (RTI) route.  All contestants have 80 days to collect as many points possible and climb the leaderboard to qualify the Grand Final in March with cash and prizes to be won.

All contestants young and old can also look forward to ten weekly and seasonal contests with staycations and other attractive prizes to be won. Every contestant will also enter a Grand Lucky Draw with the top prize of a Brompton bike.

From Dec 11 to 31, any contestant who signs up for RIDEnjoySG can nominate a child under seven years old to receive his or her first bicycle this upcoming Christmas with organisers planning to gift 12 lucky children with brand-new two-wheelers.  

Inspired by local cycling icon Tuas Lamp Post One, Ridenjoy app users can also visit Joy Beacons at significant landmarks around Singapore to leave behind an AR virtual selfie. Cyclists can also visit Joy Stops of local businesses and older generation hawkers to enjoy freebies, weekly or seasonal deals.

Every kilometre cycled earns one J-Coin for the user and these J-Coins are redeemable for discount vouchers which can be used in the app’s upcoming J-Shops marketplace that features cycling and lifestyle-related businesses.

Ridenjoy is now available for download on Apple and Google app stores and season one of RIDEnjoySG runs from 11 Dec 2021 to 1 March 2022. Visit www.ridenjoy.sg for more details