Local cycling community honors advocate killed in hit-and-run crash
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — It was an emotional day the cycling community of Albuquerque and for a local family. They all gathered to say a final good-bye and honor a man they say loved his city and his community.
“He nurtured this community, and I am so thankful that the community loved him,” said Angelina Malagodi, as she and her family saw the impact her father, Chuck Malagodi, made on his community Saturday.
Dozens of people came out to say a final good-bye to him.
“It’s just wonderful to see that one life can have such an impact in today’s society,” said Craig Degenhardt, a friend of the family.
Last weekend, Malagodi was out for a routine bike ride near Kathryn and Carlisle. Albuquerque police said that a white truck hit Malagodi and took off. He later died from his injuries.
Malagodi was a beloved cycling advocate. He founded the Esperanza Community Bike Shop in Albuquerque.
Through the shop and his work with the city outdoor recreation education program, he shared his love of the sport with thousands of people. More than a decade later, his shop has given away almost 5,000 free bikes.
His wife, Hisako Moriyama said she knew he loved his work but what she saw Saturday showed how his impact, and now legacy, were on full display.
“Today I saw really, really what he did all his life, and it was nice to see, you know,” Moriyama said. “He pursued his dream, and he touched so many people.”
Saturday afternoon, a large group of cyclists went for a memorial ride.
Moriyama said the cold weather never stopped her husband from going for a ride.
“Cyclists, they are very tough,” she said. “And Chuck used to say, you know, ‘Oh, honey, it’s 25 degrees outside.’ And he goes, ‘Oh, it’s nothing. I used to live in Vermont.’”
Police are still looking for the driver of the white truck.
And now Malagodi’s family is looking to carry on his legacy.
“He was this community’s father, too, and my mom and I, you know, he always wanted to make this world a better place,” Angelina Malagodi said. “And I think we, we believe he did that.”