A cyclist hit a woman at this intersection in Halifax. (Google Streetview)

A woman is clinging to life in hospital and a man is in jail after a cyclist struck a woman in Halifax Wednesday night.

At about 7:30 p.m. the woman, 56, was crossing in a crosswalk at Windsor and Connaught streets in the north end of the city.

Staff Sgt. Reid McCoombs of the Halifax Regional Police said the man on the bike was known to police.

"Witnesses at the scene state that the cyclist was travelling north on Windsor Street and proceeded through a red light at the intersection without stopping and struck the pedestrian, who was crossing in the crosswalk," he said.

"The pedestrian was thrown in the air and struck her head as she hit the pavement."

She was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The cyclist, 49, remained on scene and was arrested by police. He was wanted for violating a court order and will appear in court Thursday to answer that charge, as well as numerous charges under the Motor Vehicle Act.