We are saddened by the sudden loss of Andrea Gonzalez, who was killed by a driver on October 21st in Cherry Hill while leading a Radical Adventure Riders (RAR) LGBTQ + BIPOC bikepacking trip from Philadelphia to the Goshen Pond Camping Area in the Pine Barrens.
Born in New York State and raised in Mexico and a former resident of Buffalo NY, Andrea came to Philadelphia in 2018 to earn her master’s degree in urban planning at UPenn. In April of 2019 Andrea joined us at the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia as a Bilingual Community Liaison for the Better Bikeshare Program. Her charm and endless optimism quickly won over everyone who worked with her. She would even visit us in the office in her free time, when asked why, she responded “This is my happy place.”
After she left the BCGP in 2019 she continued to pursue her interest in long-distance bikepacking, completing the Empire State Ride for Cancer Research from New York City to Niagara Falls in 2021. Andrea talks about her love of bikepacking and how trails are there for everyone in this Circuit Trails Video.
Andrea worked as an Urban Planning Consultant at Guidehouse and served on the Mayor’s Civic Review Design Board. She was recognized for her community service by Al Dia at their 2022 40 Under 40 event.
Those of us who missed her at the office would find her at the ever-growing Wednesday Night Rides events.
A memorial ride for Andrea is happening on Saturday, November 25th starting at 12 PM at Corinthian Gardens in Fairmount. Our deepest condolences to Andrea’s family and friends. We are committed to the fight for achieving zero deaths on our transportation network.
The Inquirer and NJ Pen reported on the news of her death.
Cover Photo: Katie Burns