Alden Richards is so passionate about cycling that he has taken his love for the sport a step further by championing an advocacy he hopes will benefit the cycling community across the country.
The Kapuso actor is spearheading the first-ever Fun Ride PH, a cycling event, in partnership with the Department of Tourism and energy-vehicle brand BYD.
Fun Ride PH aims to promote healthy lifestyle and road safety. But it’s ultimate purpose is to improve the cycling community in the Philippines.
Alden, together with his partners, graced the Fun Ride PH kick-off at Bikes & Coffee in BGC on October 6, 2026.
During his speech, the actor delivered a moving message about his desire to create a safer cycling environment in the Philippines.
But his words are not just for show. As the actor put it, he walks the talk.
So why is Alden so invested in the sport, and why is he pushing for the welfare of the cycling community on a national scale?
ALDEN FOUND HEALING THROUGH CYCLING
After the presscon proper, PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) intervewed Alden about how cycling changed his life.
“A lot. By a long shot…” came the immediate answer of the A-lister, who has been into cycling for one year and four months.
As a matter of fact, in March 2026, Alden joined a triathlon, where he did the 90-kilometer bike leg.
Read: Nico Bolzico, Wil Dasovich admit underestimating Alden Richards
Others may look down on his statement about the impact of cycling on his life, but Alden stressed that it is based on his own experience.
"I’m very open and… wala naman akong tinatago na I had some hard times the previous year and going first quarter this year, and cycling really healed me.
“Hindi nga helped, e. Healed me. That’s the effect it has on me.”
The actor did not go into specifics, but in a June 2026 interview, Alden revealed that he experienced months of depression since 2024.
In that interview, Alden talked about the internal, personal battle that people did not notice; and the feeling of desperation to get professional help.
While Alden seems to have powered through that situation with the help of cycling, he was quick to say that not all may get the same effect as he did.
He clarifies: “Again, it’s a different experience, it’s a different individual.
“I’m not saying na it worked for me, it will work for them, as well. But for me, it changed my life for the better.”
Read: How Alden Richards recovered from six-month-long depression
ALDEN RICHARDS WITNESSES A CYCLING TRAGEDY
Alden was then asked if he had experienced any mishap while cycling.
He answered in the affirmative, but says it was nothing compared to other accidents he had witnessed.
Alden then described a specific fatal incident of a cyclist he saw with his own eyes that left a deep impact on him.
He recounted, “Sa may Shaw Boulevard malapit sa may Kapitolyo.
“There was this FB [truck] that was parked in a bike lane. It was a weekend. It was a Sunday, I think, syempre, may mga bikers, may mga siklista during that time.
“Carelessness,” he said, referring to the truck driver.
“Binuksan niya yung front door, tumama yung siklista, patay.
“That’s how frustrated I am. I’m not gonna sugarcoat… I’m very frustrated with how the cyclists are being treated.”
Alden opened up more about this frustration during his speech at the presscon.
UNFAIR TREATMENT toward CYCLISTS
The actor says in his speech, “Hindi kasi fair ang treatment sa mga siklista dito sa Pilipinas.”
So through the cycling event, Alden hopes it will eventually create a ripple effect and improve the conditions of cyclists in the country.
“Cyclists are dying here in our country because of disrespect, because of the thought na bisikleta lang kami…
“The four-wheels, the motorcycles, the trucks, the Sedans, the SUVs, ‘Kami ang boss ng daan…
“Hindi nabibigyan ng tamang premium ang mga siklista… ginagamit ng mga motor, ginagamit ng kotse.”
Fun Ride PH, according to him, is not just an activity but a “voice” hoping to be heard.
“Para wala na pong namamatay na siklista due to irresponsible driving, reckless driving…
“May mga naaaksidente because hindi po kami nabibigyan ng respeto sa daan.”
Alden goes on to say the he continues to experience this when he goes biking.
“This is the deeper cause of the event. More than anything else, I am rallying [for] the cyclists all over the Philippines and the brands that’s partnering with us.
“Ang gusto lang po namin at the end of the day is respect,” Alden stressed.
Alden also explained to PEP that some cyclists adapt the “If you can’t beat them, join them” and deal with the attitude of rude motorists.
“No. We can be better individuals. We can make better decisions,” he appealed.
That is also another reason that Alden is using his influence to promote what is good.
“As long as someone is doing good consistently, meron ilaw sa dulo ng lahat. Wag lang mapapagod. Kaya natin yan. Wag lang susuko,” he reminded.
He is hopeful that through the Fun Ride PH event, it will lead to a better environment for the cycling community.
He suggested that he will continue what he has started until the cycling landscape in the country improves.
The first-ever Fun Ride PH 2026 happens on November 7, 2026, at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.