Sault police roll out bicycle patrols for summer visibility

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service has put its bicycle patrol units back on the road for 2026.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service has put its bicycle patrol units back on the road as part of an annual effort to increase officer visibility in the downtown core during warmer weather.

The program resumed in early June 2026. A social media post announcing the return was accompanied by a video showing constables Jaimie Peace, Mark Tassone and David Peck, with the Division 2 and Patrol Services units, preparing for a patrol.

The post opened with the phrase “Eye of the rider,” a pun on the song ‘Eye of the Tiger,’ which could be heard in the background of the video attached.

“If you see them out for a ride, be sure to say hello - and don’t forget your bell,” police said.

In the past, the police service said it regularly beefs up its bicycle patrols as warmer weather begins.

Patrol skills go beyond recreational riding

While riding a bicycle may seem straightforward, officers assigned to the patrol unit must master skills far beyond those of a typical cyclist.

“Cycling in public safety is a lot different than riding a bike around when you’re a kid,” said then Const. Troy Miller of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, speaking during previous summers, when asked about the extent of training.

“We find ourselves in various situations throughout the day that challenge our abilities.”

Police previously explained that officers must be prepared to interact with members of the public and navigate crowded environments such as parades, events and festivals, where large numbers of people are present and police are expected to reach emergencies quickly.

“That requires us to have basic skills that are far superior to a 12-year-old riding a bike,” Miller said in 2024.

Bike patrol members often note that even officers who grew up cycling often discover a gap between their childhood experience and what the job requires – such as dealing with a wide range of obstacles that they must handle while on two wheels in an urban environment.

“Having the skills to navigate stairs, curbs, urban situations, scenarios with people running away and pursuing and just basically being in this city environment and having to get from A to B quickly to respond to serious matters, it takes a lot of skills that you didn’t have to worry about when you were just riding your bike to Boy Scouts, for example,” the police service said in its Instagram posts previously.

Police urge cyclists to register bikes

In a separate appeal to the public on World Bicycle Day, earlier this month, the service encouraged residents to register their bicycles with the department.

“Did you know: Registering your bicycle with the Sault Police can help us get it back to you if it becomes lost or stolen,” read the police Facebook post.

Registration is available online.