Residents, medical center raise safety concerns about electric scooters and e-bikes; assembly to refer issue to advisory board

A Petersburg resident and the CEO of Petersburg Medical Center told the borough assembly on Sept. 2 that the rise in electric scooters and e-bikes has produced safety concerns for pedestrians, cyclists and users of the devices.

"It's really bothering me, and I think it's unsafe," resident John Havrilick said during the public-comment period, describing several encounters he said involved scooters riding on sidewalks and in the middle of the road. Havrilick told the clerk he would leave the assembly with copies of ordinance text and fine schedules used by Wrangell for the assembly and staff to review.

Phil Hofstetter, chief executive officer of Petersburg Medical Center, told the assembly the hospital has seen "substantial injury this summer with the electronic scooters and electronic ebikes as well" and encouraged helmet use. "It's not just the scooter, but electronic vehicles that we're seeing," Hofstetter said.

Assembly members responded by directing the matter to the Public Safety Advisory Board for initial review. Mayor Jensen suggested referring the complaint to the advisory body; Vice Mayor Marsh supported that approach.

What was asked: Havrilick asked the borough to consider adopting a fines-and-ordinance approach similar to Wrangell’s to restrict scooter use on sidewalks and to penalize unsafe operation. He provided copies of Wrangell's materials to the clerk for staff review.

What happens next: The assembly indicated staff and the Public Safety Advisory Board will review the provided materials and consider whether a local ordinance or enforcement program is warranted; no formal ordinance was proposed or enacted at the meeting.

All quotes and attributions are taken from the assembly meeting transcript and limited to the speakers listed.