Police recommend against river cycling as spring temperatures arrive

City police say it's probably time to stay off the ice after a cyclist's trip out onto a frozen portion of the St. Marys River drew emergency services from both sides of the border this morning.

A concerned resident alerted police, prompting firefighters, Sault Search and Rescue and both the Canadian and U.S. Coast Guards to respond to the Sunnyside Beach area, said Const. Sonny Spina.

"Someone's life being in danger is something we take very seriously," said Spina.

Police located the cyclists safely.

They told police they had notified people of their intended route and they were being watched from shore, but Spina said with temperatures quickly rising, police are recommending people stay away from the ice if they can.

"If you fall through that ice it happens so quickly and that water is so cold," that it may be too late by the time emergency crews arrive, said Spina.

Even when someone is rescued, it takes resources that could be better used elsewhere, he said.

"It takes away from our ability to respond to calls in the rest of the city," said Spina.