Tatami-mat sales supervisor Jenelle Lim normally works on Sundays, but yesterday she swopped shifts with her colleagues so that she could take her purple Vespa scooter for a 40km charity ride around Singapore.

The 30-year-old was among a handful of female riders who took part in the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride yesterday.

About 500 bikers clad in suits started their journey from Bukit Timah to the Marina Bay Barrage, passing through Holland Village and Orchard Road.

The event, which globally drew 36,000 participants from 79 countries, began in Australia in 2012.

The Singapore event yesterday, which was held for the third time here, raised about $6,100 for prostate cancer research, contributing to the US$2.1 million (S$3 million) that has been raised worldwide.

Besides those on regular motorcycles and scooters, the event attracted a number of riders on vehicles with sidecars - a rare sight here. Among them was civil servant Jobina Tan, who was accompanied by her seven-year-old daughter Miriam.

"My daughter is too young to ride in the sidecar, but she is here to support me at the start of the ride," said the 40-year-old, who was taking part in the event for the first time.

"I have been riding for less than a year. This event is meaningful because I get to meet friends, bond with my daughter and raise money for charity."