The borough assembly will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, June 24, on a revised ordinance to regulate the use of e-bikes and e-scooters in town.

The public discussion of a proposal to regulate young riders was rescheduled after a June 11 town hall meeting at the Nolan Center was canceled.

The proposed ordinance encountered strong opposition from community members at assembly meetings last month, particularly the provision that would have banned youngsters under the age of 14 from riding e-bikes or e-scooters in town.

The public will be able to testify at the assembly work session on the ordinance, which is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. June 24 at City Hall.

Mayor Patty Gilbert said the postponement was due to the unavailability of at least two assembly members for the June 11 town hall.

“We want to hear from the community, and we want everyone to be involved,” Gilbert said. “We know there is a problem and we want the feedback so we can get things done right.”

Gilbert expressed hope that a revised ordinance can be accepted in the regular assembly meeting after the work session.

“There are a lot of good ideas out there,” Gilbert said. “We need everyone to voice their concerns and find a solution that will work for everybody.”

Police Chief Gene Meek told the assembly on May 27 that his department receives numerous calls during summer months regarding riders speeding or creating safety hazards.

“The ordinance that was proposed would have been easy to enforce,” Meek said in a later interview. “But there were concerns, so we are working on a few alternatives to present. It is a complicated situation.”

Meek said he is developing a presentation for the community to address specific points. The original proposed ordinance would have required operators to possess a driver’s license or learner’s permit. State-issued permits are available in Alaska to individuals at least 14 years old.

However, Meek noted a disparity between a potential local ordinance and state statutory requirements for electric conveyances.

“One of the things to address is that state law focuses on electric personal motor vehicles as being within 750 watts and having a maximum speed up to 15 mph,” Meek explained. “But these scooters can get up to as fast as 35 mph. When we are talking about young children on a scooter, having the ability to travel that fast … there is just more to consider.”

Some citizens at the May 27 assembly meeting called the ordinance “overreach” and suggested safety training instead of a minimum age and fines. State law does not require e-scooter or e-bike users to have an operator’s license.

The assembly voted unanimously on May 27 to postpone action on the ordinance.

Meek also highlighted concerns about permitting, education and potential liability for the borough.

“My biggest fear is someone getting hurt,” Gilbert said, expressing worry about scooters being less visible than bicycles.

The mayor anticipates productive discussions at the upcoming work session.

“I have complete faith in Gene,” Gilbert said of Meek. “He is so good with kids and he knows how to get through to them. Moving the discussion to the 24th will help make sure everyone will have time to get their ideas together. And everyone should be able to participate, and maybe we will have a solution at the end of the evening.”