Family of cyclist killed on Hamilton Mountain says victim was on his way to work at Lime Ridge Mall

The daughter of a Hamilton man who was killed while riding his bike on the Mountain earlier this week is remembering her father as the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back."

In a statement to The Spectator, Amanda Strong identified her father, Brian Woods, as the 52-year-old cyclist who was struck and killed by a van on the morning of July 5.

Hamilton police were called to Upper Wentworth Street near the Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway overpass just before 5:30 a.m. for reports of a collision involving a van and a cyclist.

When police and paramedics arrived on scene they found the cyclist in the middle of the road without vital signs. The cyclist, later identified as Woods, died of his injuries in hospital.

Strong said her father leaves behind a wife, four children, four stepchildren and eight grandchildren, as well as many other family members that he had taken under his wing" during rough times in their lives.

We all loved him so much," said Strong, 29. He was an amazing dad to all of us."

She described Woods as someone who was eager to help out anyone whenever he could and was quick to make those around him smile and laugh.

If there was the opportunity to make a joke, he always took it," said Strong.

Woods was a big sports fan, according to his daughter. He loved the Toronto Blue Jays and always dreamed about seeing the Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup.

Strong noted that her father worked at Lime Ridge Mall and was well-known to both the staff and regular shoppers.

(He) always greeted them with a smile," she added, confirming that he was on his way to work when he was killed.

A GoFundMe has been organized to raise money to help with Woods' funeral expenses. As of Thursday evening, it had raised $1,915 of its $2,500 goal.

Ghost bike memorial planned

Cycling advocates have organized a ghost bike memorial ride for Woods.

Set for July 11, the memorial ride, which has been organized by Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists - as well as local advocates - will depart from Southam Park on Upper James Street at 5:30 p.m. and make its way to the crash site.

Once the group arrives, advocates will place an all-white bicycle, known as a ghost bike, where the cyclist was killed. A similar memorial was placed on the Claremont Access following the cycling death of kindergarten teacher Jay Keddy.

Dave Shellnut, a lawyer who specializes in representing injured cyclists, wrote on Instagram that it's important that folks come out to honour another one of us lost to road safety failures and to keep each other safe as we take the road to the memorial site."

While details around the crash remain limited, Shellnutt previously noted there are no safe spaces for cyclists crossing over the Linc in that area, with the closest painted bike lane on West 5th Street.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact police. The collision reconstruction unit can be reached at 905-546-4753 or 905-546-4755.

To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.

Fallon Hewitt is a reporter at The Spectator. fhewitt@thespec.com