The Sports Boulevard has officially unveiled RIYDE, an immersive cycling experience in Riyadh, through a partnership with the global technology company, BKOOL.
This collaboration, combining the expertise of a pioneering virtual cycling simulator with the innovative vision of Sports Boulevard, aims to boost fitness levels in Riyadh.
According to Jayne McGivern, CEO of the Sports Boulevard Foundation, the launch of RIYDE aligns with their mission to promote grassroots sports and make exercise more accessible to Riyadh's residents.
"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."
RIYDE, developed by Sports Boulevard, utilizes cutting-edge technology to create a virtual cycling experience. Residents can ride virtual routes, compete against each other, and enjoy an immersive cycling booth equipped with world-class hardware, thanks to the partnership with BKOOL.
Head of Business at BKOOL Alvaro Galindo expressed pride in the partnership and the opportunity to bring the RIYDE experience to Riyadh residents.
"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," said Galindo.
The RIYDE booth, operational for an initial two-week period at public locations, provides an indoor, air-conditioned setting for friends, family, and colleagues to socialize, exercise, and compete. Visitors can experience a virtual 5.24km route, equivalent to 10-15 minutes of cycling, tailored to different fitness levels. Additionally, they can use virtual reality technology to explore the transformative vision of Riyadh through the completed Sports Boulevard.
The Sports Boulevard, launched in 2019 as one of Riyadh's mega projects, spans over 135km and connects Wadi Hanifah in the West to Wadi Al Sulai in the East. Supported by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the project features safe green pathways for pedestrians, cyclists, athletes, and horse-riders. It includes over 4.4 million square meters of greenery, open spaces, and up to 50 multidisciplinary sports facilities.
