Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: 06 February 2024: The Sports Boulevard Foundation (SBF) has partnered with BKOOL, a leading sports technology innovator, in a new long-term strategic partnership, to develop a cycling experience aimed at increasing fitness rates in Riyadh.
RIYDE, which has been created by the Sports Boulevard Foundation, will use BKOOL’s cutting-edge technology to bring cycling to Riyadh’s residents, allowing them to ride virtual routes and compete against one another in an immersive cycling booth. It will also feature world-class hardware, delivered by implementation partner and leading regional bicycle chain Wolfi’s.
With a total of 220km of cycling pathways being created as part of the Sports Boulevard, RIYDE has been designed to encourage a culture of cycling and sports in the capital whilst construction of the Sports Boulevard is underway.
The RIYDE experience will allow participants to ride a 5.24km virtual route and offer the opportunity for friends, family, and colleagues to socialise, exercise, and compete against each other whilst enjoying a new sport in an indoor, air-conditioned booth.
Jayne McGivern, CEO of the Sports Boulevard Foundation, said “Promoting sports and unlocking the benefits of exercise for Riyadh’s residents is at the centre of the Sports Boulevard’s mission. Fitness technology has played a key role in improving people’s access to sports and exercise, so I am delighted to be launching RIYDE today in partnership with BKOOL and Wolfi’s. The immersive RIYDE experience is a fantastic way for the Sports Boulevard to provide residents with cycling facilities and to boost sports participation whilst we’re building the Sports Boulevard’s city-wide infrastructure.”
Alvaro Galindo, Head of Business, BKOOL, said: “We are proud to announce our partnership with the Sports Boulevard, bringing the RIYDE experience to life for the residents of Riyadh. We are passionate about cycling and we want to inspire a new generation of cyclists. Our innovative, immersive technology will make this a reality, offering residents a new and fascinating opportunity to learn a new sport and passion.”
The Sports Boulevard is one of Riyadh’s mega projects launched by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz on March 19th, 2019, and supported by HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. The project extends more than 135km on Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road connecting Wadi Hanifah in the West with Wadi Al Sulai in the East through a grid of safe green pathways for pedestrians, cyclists, athletes, and horse-riders. The project includes more than 4.4 million square meters of greenery and open spaces, and up to 50 multidisciplinary sports facilities.
