Riyadh, February 03, 2024, The Sports Boulevard has officially introduced RIYDE, an immersive cycling experience in Riyadh, through a strategic partnership with the global technology company, BKOOL. This collaboration, uniting the expertise of a groundbreaking virtual cycling simulator with the forward-thinking vision of Sports Boulevard, aims to enhance fitness levels in Riyadh.
Jayne McGivern, CEO of the Sports Boulevard Foundation, highlights that the launch of RIYDE is in line with their mission to promote grassroots sports and make exercise more accessible to residents of Riyadh. She emphasizes the role of fitness technology in improving access to sports and exercise, stating, "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. The immersive RIYDE experience is a fantastic way for the Sports Boulevard to provide residents with cycling facilities and to boost sports participation while we are building Sports Boulevard’s city-wide infrastructure."
Developed by Sports Boulevard, RIYDE leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver a virtual cycling experience. Residents can engage in virtual routes, compete with each other, and enjoy an immersive cycling booth equipped with world-class hardware, thanks to the collaboration with BKOOL.
Alvaro Galindo, Head of Business at BKOOL, expresses pride in the partnership and the opportunity to introduce the RIYDE experience to the residents of Riyadh. Galindo states, "We are passionate about cycling and 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."
Operational for an initial two-week period at public locations, the RIYDE booth provides an indoor, air-conditioned setting for socializing, exercising, and competing among friends, family, and colleagues. Visitors can immerse themselves in a virtual 5.24km route, equivalent to 10-15 minutes of cycling, tailored to different fitness levels. Additionally, they can utilize virtual reality technology to explore the transformative vision of Riyadh through the completed Sports Boulevard.
Launched in 2019 as one of Riyadh's mega projects, the Sports Boulevard spans over 135km, connecting Wadi Hanifah in the West to Wadi Al Sulai in the East. With the support of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the project encompasses safe green pathways for pedestrians, cyclists, athletes, and horse-riders. The initiative includes over 4.4 million square meters of greenery, open spaces, and up to 50 multidisciplinary sports facilities.
