What started as a minor change to a city ordinance turned into a big discussion about how some rules make Langley unwelcoming for children and families.

Police Chief Dave Marks proposed a small change to an ordinance about bikes, skateboards and roller skates at Monday’s Langley City Council meeting. He requested an exception for police so they can ride their bikes on sidewalks after purchasing a couple of new bicycles for officers to patrol with.

Marks said the bikes were popular last year with residents and make the officers more approachable than if they are in the Chevrolet Malibus or on foot.

“It’s been nothing but positive,” he said.

But dredging up a previously contentious rule again had some council members questioning the validity of keeping children on scooters and roller skates out of downtown. Councilwoman Rene Neff described young children on a scooter or on skates and said she’d like to see more of that in town, even in the busier downtown business district of First and Second streets. One young man said he understood the exclusion of skateboards from the business area, but said because scooters, like the one he had, came with brakes, they should be allowed.

“I get why skateboards are banned, ‘cause they don’t have brakes,” said 14-year-old Darien Jacob.

The city’s rules prohibit skateboards, scooters and roller skates anywhere downtown, including both streets and sidewalks. Bicycles are allowed on streets, but are banned from sidewalks and prompted the police chief’s request. He was adamant, however, that the other restrictions remain in place.

Marks, wanting to ensure the safety of pedestrians in Langley, would not budge on his belief in the need for the restriction despite being asked by the council to consider some changes.

To illustrate his point, he told a story of previously being a business owner and seeing someone on a skateboard run into a woman, seriously and permanently injuring her.

“I’m not changing my opinion,” Marks said. “It’s a bad idea.”

Mayor Fred McCarthy, who retired from a long career in education, said as a former administrator he tried to allow for skating on a junior high school property. He was advised that he could allow it if he could guarantee that every person skating on school district property would wear a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads and wrist pads.

Monday’s discussion was a first reading of the proposal with no vote taken. The council is expected to decide the issue later this month.