Friends remember Calgary cyclist killed in southwest crash as ‘the most supportive individual’

A Calgary cyclist killed in a crash last week is being remembered as a devoted family man and a passionate ambassador for the biking community.

Friends and fellow riders are remembering Calgary cyclist Phillip Goheen as a generous mentor, family man and community champion after he was killed in a collision last week.

Police say the 40-year-old man was struck around 3:40 p.m. on Sept. 12 at the intersection of 17 Avenue and 101 Street S.W.

Investigators believe a 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport driven by a man in his 70s was turning left when it hit Goheen as he rode his e-bike through a marked crosswalk.

The driver remained on scene and was not hurt.

Police said alcohol, drugs and excessive speed are not considered factors in the crash.

Devastating

For those who knew him best, the news was devastating.

“Phil was the kind of guy that would give anybody the shirt off of his back,” said Joey Reinhart, a close friend and fellow rider.

“He was just always willing to help and super positive.”

Reinhart first met Goheen through Calgary’s tight-knit biking community, where he quickly stood out for his warmth and enthusiasm.

“He was the guy that was just excited to be in the action and part of the sport and part of the community, right? He was just there getting everybody else excited to ride bikes, get out and just live their best life,” Reinhart said.

“And he was one of those individuals that was so nice that you just felt like you knew him way longer than you did right off the hop.”

Goheen had recently shifted from mountain biking to road cycling after discovering a heart condition.

“He told me that all he wanted to be able to do was to be there for his girls, his wife Candace and his daughter, Hannah,” Reinhart recalled.

“If you ever talk to Phil, you’re hearing about Candace and Hannah right away. Just the love and the way his face would light up talking about them was incredible. You just knew that there’s nothing else he wanted more than to give them the best life possible and be there and be the best dad and husband that he could.”

Community rallies

The tragedy has rattled Calgary’s cycling and mountain biking community, which has rallied to support Goheen’s family.

A GoFundMe page launched in his memory describes him as “the ultimate hype man” who “embodied the spirit of community.”

Reinhart said the fundraiser was an obvious way for friends to step up.

“As soon as we heard that it was Phil, you know, it was one of those things—you see the article in the news and you think, ‘Oh, that’ll never happen to somebody I know.’ And this time, it was like, ‘No, that hit way too close to home. That’s a good friend,’” he said.

“So the community is going to take care of them, no matter what, but this is just our way to help make this really crappy time easier for everybody, and just give them all the support that we possibly can right now.”

Friends will soon organize a memorial ride at Moose Mountain in Bragg Creek, with the date still to be determined.

Supporters are also encouraging people to subscribe to Goheen’s YouTube channel, rangeridermtb, which features his mountain biking adventures and tutorials.

Riders face risks

For Reinhart, Goheen’s death is also a reminder of the risks riders face on city streets.

“If there’s anything that comes out of this, I just hope that people look twice for people riding their bikes, because as somebody that just got into road biking like Phil, because of the condition or an injury, it’s scary out there,” he said.

“People aren’t aware that there’s bikes on the road, on the shoulder, crossing the street, whatever, and people just aren’t looking enough.”

He hopes Goheen’s story can also help others see cyclists with greater empathy.

“Life’s short. Give everybody that means something to you a hug right now, because it could be gone in an instant,” he said.

Investigation into the crash continues, and anyone with information is asked to call police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.