Hayleys Advantis opens Sri Lanka’s first cycle repair station; kicks off its inaugural cycle parade

Hayleys Advantis, the transportation and logistics arm of the Hayleys Group, launched its inaugural cycle parade on 29 October to promote safe cycling and a healthy lifestyle amongst its employees.  

The logistics provider is set to establish a network of cycle repair stations across Colombo, the first of which was ceremonially opened at Colombo 3, by the Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC, Mohan Pandithage and Managing Director of Hayleys Advantis, Ruwan Waidyaratne. 

The action-packed event witnessed more than 150 employees from Hayleys Advantis make the 17 Km long circuit. 

Commencing from the Hayleys Head Office building, the parade went on to the Lipton Circle junction, Nelum Pokuna roundabout, Independence Avenue, Cinnamon Garden Police Station, Bauddaloka Mawatha, Duplication Road, St. Peters College, Galle Road, Galle Face and concluded back at the Head Office building on Deans Road.

 “Cycling is a sport considered to be amongst the safest forms of exercise to improve your overall health and well-being. Over the past few months, we saw a marked increase in the number of employees taking up the sport as a lifestyle choice, especially when we as a country were facing the fuel crisis.  

“We found that while many were enthusiastic about taking on the challenge, they were concerned about the lack of tools and locations for any emergency repairs. Having noted this, we decided to support our employees and the cyclists in Colombo by establishing a network of cycle repair stations in the city,” said Hayleys Advantis Managing Director Ruwan Waidyaratne. 

The initiative is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, and the cycle repair stations are equipped with air pumps and other tools required for general repairs of cycles.  

 Notably, Hayleys Advantis also brought in competitive cyclist and passionate advocate for cycling, Yasas Hewage, to conduct the ‘Change the Game’ workshop for participants. 

The workshop armed participants with a gamut of information on the subject, including the do’s and don’ts of cycling. He also joined the Hayleys Advantis team on the cycle parade leading the group along the route. 

“While many initiatives have happened over the last decade, the game changer is cycling infrastructure. With this novel initiative of a cycle repair station, Hayleys Advantis has assisted the cycling fraternity whilst enriching the lifestyle of the community. It is commendable to see corporates getting involved in projects that contribute towards safe cycling,” said Spinner Cycling Founder Yasas Hewage.

 Hayleys Advantis employees participating in the parade 

(from left) Hayleys Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage, Spinner Cycling Founder Yasas Hewage and Hayleys Advantis Managing Director Ruwan Waidyaratne at the first cycle repair station on Galle Road