The Maui County Department of Public Works will hold two public meetings to discuss the downhill bike tour industry. Bicycle tours originating at Haleakala National Park and below the park have been a concern of the Maui County Administration and County Council.

Upcountry residents, tour operators, bicyclists and interested persons are invited to attend meetings on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m., in the Kula Elementary School cafetorium and on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. at the Eddie Tam Memorial Center. These meetings are a follow-up to meetings held in June.

The county has contracted planning firm Kimura International to conduct a study that will provide recommendations and alternatives to the Maui County Council for ordinances regulating commercial bicycle tours on state and county highways.

Both escorted and unescorted (bicycle rental) tours are a focus of the study, which will consider issues such as the number of participants, safety, impact to traffic and others.

The purpose of the meetings is to obtain additional public feedback on alternatives being considered in the study.