Contributed by Grace Auyong

Friday, February 10, 2012 — Four undergraduates from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and organisers of regional charity ride, Firefly Night Race, are joining hands to launch Singapore’s first ever night cycling safety event — See and Be Seen Night Ride 2012. The ride will be the capstone of the See and Be Seen campaign, and will also raise funds for a community development overseas.

The See and Be Seen Night Ride wants to encourage more cyclists to be properly equipped for night cycling, by introducing them to night cycling safety messages, or the 5 ‘C’s – Clear Lights, Comfy Helmets, Colorful Clothes, Cautious Attitude, and Constant Hydration. In addition, the ride also aims to raise monies for charity, by appealing to friends and supporters to pledge for the cause, and for every cyclist who participates.

Monies raised will go towards Life! Community Development (LCD), a non-profit organisation, in support of its efforts in community development in countries such as Aceh, Myanmar, Laos and Cebu.

The organisers hope to attract 250 cyclists to pedal for the cause on March 10, 2012. Prior to this, a month-long campaign that features a series of humorous webisodes, and quirky editorial pieces advocating safe night cycling will roll out on the official website www.seeabseen.com, and Facebook page.

“Night cycling is gaining in popularity, and yet there has been little corresponding national efforts in promoting safe night cycling. However, the whole idea of Seen and Be Seen is not only to raise awareness for night cycling safety, it also encompasses a meaningful intent of bringing light and hope to the lives of the underprivileged,” said Lyndon Yeo, 44, Founder of Firefly Night Race and co-organiser of See and Be Seen Night Ride.
 
“We conceptualised the See and Be Seen campaign, because we wanted to make a difference to the cycling scene in Singapore. By partnering more experienced groups such as the organisers of Firefly Night Race, we were able to tap on their expertise, and collaborate to make this campaign and event a reality,” says Marcus Yong, 24, co-organiser of See and Be Seen Night Ride and student team leader.