Police today named the dead cyclist as 39-year-old Andrew Johnson, of Retford Road, Handsworth, Sheffield, suffered severe head injuries in the crash on Ridgeway Road, Gleadless, just after 5.20pm.
Eyewitnesses said one passenger on the tram, who was St John Ambulance trained, rushed to help along with a first-aider who was passing by.
But despite their efforts Mr Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
The tragedy comes five years after an elderly man died after being hit by a tram there while trying to cross Ridgeway Road in September 2001.
Yesterday's accident happened at the junction with Newlands Road, as shocked passengers looked on.
Police believe Mr Johnson was crossing in front of the Supertram which was travelling towards the city centre.
Witnesses said he was crossing the dual carriageway on a pelican crossing in front of two lanes of rush hour traffic.
It is thought he failed to see the city-bound tram in its dedicated central lane.
One Ridgeway Road resident described hearing a loud bang from her home.
"We heard the bang from inside the house," she said. "It's a dangerous crossing out there - there's four lanes of fast-moving traffic and two tram lines to watch.
"Sometimes with lorries, buses and coaches in heavy traffic it can be hard to see or hear a tram coming."
"It's a 40mph limit but motorists regularly speed on Ridgeway Road because it's a straight dual carriageway.
"I've lost count of the times me and my children have waited for a green man to cross safely but then a car has come straight through the crossing's red light because they've been going too fast to stop."
Traffic was disrupted for around two hours with trams and cars diverted.
Trams heading out of the city towards Halfway and Herdings Park terminated at Arbourthorne Road and turned round at Spring Lane, and trams heading into the city had to turn round at Gleadless Town End.
Officers are appealing for witnesses to the collision to contact the Accident Witness Line on 0114 220 2970.