Victim Of Fatal Cherry Hill Bike Crash Was A Philly Community Advocate

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Bicycling was more than a pastime for Andrea Gonzalez. It was the Philadelphia resident's way of fighting for a better, safer, more-inclusive world before her sudden death.

Last month, Gonzalez was leading an LGBTQ + BIPOC "bikepacking" trip for the Radical Adventure Riders — a group that pushes for greater gender inclusivity and racial equity in cycling and outdoor life. They planned to travel from the city to the Pine Barrens. But when they reached Cherry Hill, tragedy struck.

On Oct. 21, a chain reaction between a group of bicyclists on Kresson Road sent one of their riders into an oncoming vehicle, giving her fatal injuries, according to police. Law enforcement didn't disclose the woman's name, but bicycling organizations have identified Gonzalez as the victim.

• Read more: 1 Killed In Cherry Hill Crash After Biking Group's Chain Reaction: PD

Gonzalez, 33, was born in Buffalo, New York, and raised in Mexico. After pursuing her degree in architecture at the University of Buffalo, she came to Philadelphia in 2018 to earn her master's degree in urban planning from the University of Pennsylvania.

In April 2019, she joined the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia as a bilingual community liaison, joining the organization's fight to make the region a better, safer place for biking.

"Her charm and endless optimism quickly won over everyone who worked with her," wrote John Boyle, the coalition's research director. "She would even visit us in the office in her free time, when asked why, she responded 'This is my happy place.'"

Gonzalez left the organization later that year but continued to pursue her interest in long-distance bikepacking. In 2021, she completed the Empire State Ride for Cancer Research from New York City to Niagara Falls.

Gonzalez worked as an urban planning consultant at Guidehouse. She also became the first Latina and youngest member appointed to Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney's Civic Design Review Board, for which she reviewed major buildings projected for development in the city.

Last year, multilingual new outlet AL DÍA named Gonzalez to its 40 Under 40 list, which highlights a diverse array of young professionals making significant impacts across the Philadelphia region.

"She strives to become a recognized community leader as she continues to work advocating for equitable policies and funding in housing, transportation and community development," wrote AL DÍA's Jensen Toussaint.

The Bicycling Coalition of Greater Philadelphia believes that all traffic deaths are preventable. However, reported traffic death tolls for bikers have increased this year in both the Garden State and Philadelphia.

In New Jersey, 22 bicyclists have died in accidents this year — up from 16 in all of 2022. On Nov. 6, longtime teacher Kevin Saint Clair was fatally struck in Philadelphia, marking the city's 10th cyclist death this year — an all-time high.

In the wake of Saint Clair's death, the Bicycling Coalition re-iterated several policies for which it advocates, including full funding for Vision Zero Philadelphia — the city's collaborative effort to eliminate traffic deaths by 2030.

"We know how to prevent these deaths," wrote Nicole Brunet, of the Biking Coalition. "Our elected officials have all the tools to make concrete changes that save lives. Condolences will not fix this problem; our communities need — and deserve — action."

A memorial ride for Gonzalez is set for Nov. 25 at Corinthian Gardens in Philadelphia. Participants will meet up at 11:30 a.m. before riding out at noon. Find more info here.

Visit the following links to support Meal Trains for Gonzalez's sister and fiance.