{"id":140562,"date":"2026-07-23T06:20:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T06:20:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/140562\/"},"modified":"2026-07-23T06:20:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T06:20:33","slug":"halifax-community-leader-dal-engineering-professor-dies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/140562\/","title":{"rendered":"Halifax community leader, Dal engineering professor dies"},"content":{"rendered":"

HALIFAX \u2014 Tributes are pouring in for a Dalhousie University engineering professor and cyclist described as a mentor and father figure who died following a road accident in Halifax. <\/p>\n

A 71-year-old man was cycling along Strawberry Hill Street when the driver of a pickup truck opened the vehicle\u2019s door into his path around 1 p.m. Friday, police said.<\/p>\n

The cyclist died in hospital, prompting some calls for motorists to be more careful when getting behind the wheel.<\/p>\n

Halifax Regional Police said the driver of the pickup truck was issued a summary offence ticket of $180. They did not immediately say if any further charges are expected.<\/p>\n

Over the weekend, the Sabeel Muslim and Youth Community Center in Halifax said in online posts that Nouman Ali had died following a serious accident.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, the Muslim community in Halifax lost a great man and a dear brother, who played a major role in establishing many of our Islamic centres in this country,\u201d reads the centre\u2019s statement. <\/p>\n

Dalhousie\u2019s faculty of engineering issued a separate statement Monday sharing the news of Ali\u2019s death, saying the dedicated professor and researcher was a pillar of the community for more than 30 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat he\u2019ll be remembered for most was his unwavering commitment to the people around him. He went above and beyond for everyone,\u201d reads the statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Ali was always there with his time and generosity. His door was always open, and he never hesitated to help,\u201d it continued.<\/p>\n

The school said Ali\u2019s research in transportation engineering and pavement helped make a difference well beyond Dalhousie, and he cared deeply for his family and the broader community around him. <\/p>\n

\u201cTo his students, he was much more than a professor, described by many as a mentor, supporter and father figure. He believed in their potential, and each day did everything he could to help them succeed,\u201d the statement reads. <\/p>\n

Stephen MacKay, a Halifax cycling advocate, said bikers across the city are mourning Ali. <\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of people are missing a friend, a family member, an ally today,\u201d he said in an interview Tuesday. <\/p>\n

MacKay said the resulting $180 ticket makes it clear that deaths caused by drivers are treated differently than other accidental causes of death. <\/p>\n

\u201cAny time someone causes somebody\u2019s death through any means that\u2019s non-vehicular, it is going to amount to charges. Almost always, you\u2019re looking at manslaughter, but not if it\u2019s done with a vehicle,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

MacKay said drivers have a responsibility to safely operate their vehicle, which includes being aware of their surroundings when exiting. <\/p>\n

MacKay said the tragedy has prompted many Halifax cyclists to share their own experiences of getting so-called \u201cdoored\u201d while biking. This refers to someone opening a car door into the path of a cyclist, which can often result in injury.<\/p>\n

He said many experienced cyclists have had this happen to them, and for some, \u201cit can be their last experience cycling.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt may not be a fatal incident like it was the other day, but this is the kind of thing that injures someone or scares someone to the point that they won\u2019t get on a bike again,\u201d MacKay said. <\/p>\n

He said drivers would benefit from practising a technique called a \u201cDutch Reach\u201d \u2014 which is when a driver uses their right hand to open the door, ensuring that the driver\u2019s body turns to look at the road before leaving a vehicle.<\/p>\n

Those on the passenger-side of a vehicle should do the same with their left hand, MacKay said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an important thing people can do to keep cyclists safer,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

MacKay said members of the Halifax cycling community are in the early stages of planning a memorial bike ride in Ali\u2019s honour.<\/p>\n

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Lyndsay Armstrong, The Canadian Press<\/p>\n

\t\tKeep it Factual<\/p>\n

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