Hamilton councillors paid tribute to an elementary school teacher and avid cyclist by renaming a proposed bike lane on the Claremont Access after him.

Jay Keddy, 53, was killed in December 2015 when he was struck from behind by a vehicle while riding his bike up the access.

The incident highlighted the fact not one of Hamilton’s mountain accesses has a lane for cyclists.

“It’s unfortunate this traumatic situation drew attention to it,” said Mountain Coun. Terry Whitehead, who introduced the motion at the May 9 council meeting.

The cycling community had a petition urging councillors to honour Keddy, an avid cyclist, by naming the bike lane after him.

Whitehead, who said he had worked with Keddy, a kindergarten teacher, on various education issues, praised the former missionary for his love for the community, his family and his job.

“This individual, if you were looking at role models, he was it,” said Whitehead. “This is a fitting tribute.”

Last September, Guy McPhee, who was found guilty of careless driving in Keddy’s death was fined $2,000, given an absolute driving prohibition for 120 days and was required to performer 120 hours of community service over a 12-monthy probation period.

Hamilton is proposing to build a $2.1 million bike lane — to be named the Keddy Access Trail — on the up bound Claremont Mountain Access from Hunter Street to Barnsdale. The lane will allow cyclists to link up to the Mohawk College trail network.

About 80 per cent of the funding is being provided by the provincial government, with the city contributing about $400,000. Staff are now examining the feasibility and design of the project, with the expectation the project will be built in 2019.