‘Bright, shining light’: Cyclist who died outside Taronga Zoo remembered

A cyclist killed in a horror collision outside Taronga Zoo has been remembered as a family man and racing enthusiast, who lived out one of his dreams just weeks ago.

A businessman and father-of-two killed in a horror collision outside Sydney’s Taronga Zoo has been remembered as a devout family man and motorsport enthusiast, who earlier this year lived out his dream by competing in one of the world’s most famous races.

Tim Miles, 58, died when his bicycle was struck by a bus outside the world-famous zoo at Mosman at about 10.30am on Sunday.

Mr Miles died at the scene, while the bus driver was uninjured and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Mr Miles’s family on Sunday issued a statement, describing him as “bright, shining light”.

“Tim was involved in a tragic and ultimately fatal accident this morning in Sydney while enjoying one of his favorite hobbies – cycling,” the family said.

“His loss is keenly felt by friends and family, especially wife Tracy and daughters Caley and Erin.

“Tim was a family man, though one who loved nothing more than stressing out his beloved Tracy about his latest motorsport-related purchase or adventure – all the while proudly telling stories of his two daughters’ successes in life.

“His passing will be notably impactful on his other love – a motorsport community that felt Tim’s impact as a competitor, an owner, a supporter and as a businessman for more than 35 years.”

Tim Miles died in a cycling accident outside Taronga Zoo. Picture: Supplied.

Tim Miles lived his dream by racing as part of the Le Mans 24 Hours this year. Picture: Supplied / Ford

He was born in Ashburton on New Zealand’s South Island and chased his dream of being a racing driver before focusing on business and establishing Miles Advisory Partners.

He used his business to support his beloved motorsport, competing in one-make Porsche racing and GT competition and sponsoring up-and-coming drivers.

He had just returned from France where he lived out one of his dreams by competing in the Mustang Challenge Invitational as part of the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The scene of that crash at Taronga Zoo. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone / NewsWire

Police on the scene on Sunday. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone / NewsWire

During the race, he paid tribute to long-time friend and New Zealand driver Rod McElrea.

“Tim was a fantastic storyteller, a man with a brilliant sense of humour and who showed genuine interest in the lives of those around him – whether he’d known them for years or just met them,” his family said in a statement.

“His loss will be keenly felt by family and friends, the business community in which he worked and the motorsport community in which he lived.”

The crash is being examined by the NSW police crash unit.

Originally published as ‘Bright, shining light’: Cyclist who died outside Taronga Zoo remembered