WE refer to the article “Appalling ignorance” by A Reader who questioned the use of the idiom “on your bike” that we, the organisers of OCBC Cycle Malaysia, are using as a catchphrase for our upcoming mass participation cycling event (MOE, Sept 2).

While the idiom is interpreted in a different context in Britain, we wish to highlight that there is also another meaning that is commonly attached to it – to “take action”.

It became a catchphrase in the 1980s when it was used as an exhortation to the unemployed to show initiative in their efforts to find work.

It was taken from a speech by the Conservative politician Norman Tebbit in which he said of his unemployed father: “He did not riot, he got on his bike and looked for work.”

The phrase has since been used frequently when calling for people to take action on virtually anything with a potentially positive outcome – and that is precisely our intention – to encourage Malaysians to get ready and take up the healthy sport of cycling.

We appreciate A Reader’s feedback in stating the phrase’s contextual meaning in Britain, however, the slogan is intended for our Malaysian community.

As was Mr Tebbit’s intent, our desire is to galvanise cyclists to take positive action and sign up for OCBC Cycle Malaysia.

So, on that note, we reiterate our positive and literal call – On your bike, Malaysia! – Spectrum Worldwide & OCBC Bank, Organisers and Title Sponsor of OCBC Cycle Malaysia

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