Let's be Safer Together, Carlsbad!

The City of Carlsbad uses the three Es of traffic safety -- education, engineering and enforcement -- to help ensure everyone uses local streets safely. Thanks to your support, it's working! Please continue to look out for one another, follow our safety tips and share your commitment publicly so others will do the same.

New e-bike laws

New e-bike laws are now in effect in Carlsbad. Here is what to expect: 

  • Anyone operating an e-bike must be at least 12 years old, as allowed by Assembly Bill 2234.
  • When a minor breaks the rules and creates an immediate or substantial public safety risk, their e-bike may be impounded. The minor must complete an in-person safety course to retrieve the e-bike, and a parent or guardian must be present when the e-bike is released. 
  • The Police Department can also impound e-motorcycles, which are not street legal. 
  • E-bikes are prohibited at Poinsettia and Pine Avenue Community Parks. 

Additionally, the city's previously existing laws have been updated to provide additional clarity on safe riding behavior, including:

  • Riders must go at a safe speed for the conditions, factoring in weather, whether pedestrians are present and how quickly other traffic is moving.
  • Riders under 18 years old must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet.
  • Only e-bikes designed for passengers can carry more than one rider.

  • Parents are responsible for knowingly allowing their children to commit violations. 

E-bike chart with e-motorcycles

More information

E-bike laws overview
View the new ordinance  
Watch a recording of the City Council meeting 

Safety classes

Several organizations off bike and e-bike safety courses online: 

Flashing yellow arrow traffic light

Post Date:10/24/2024 3:19 PM

To support safe walking and driving along Avenida Encinas north of Palomar Airport Road, a new traffic signal was installed near the entrance of the restaurants. It’s planned to turn on Monday, Oct. 28.

How to use 

  • Solid red arrow – Stop. Drivers may not turn. 
  • Solid yellow arrow – Prepare to stop. The light is about to change to red. 
  • Flashing yellow arrow – Drivers must yield to all oncoming traffic and people in the crosswalk, then turn left when it’s clear to do so. 
  • Solid green arrow – Drivers can turn. 

Flashing yellow arrow signal graphic

Benefits 

  • Safety – Studies, including by the Federal Highway Administration, report that flashing yellow arrows reduced the overall number of left-turn collisions, when compared to a traditional solid green ball. The traffic light also provides a dedicated space and time for people crossing Avenida Encinas when there were no crosswalks there before. 
  • More flexibility, better traffic flow – Drivers have more flexibility at intersections. Unlike solid green arrows, which only allow turning when oncoming traffic is stopped, the flashing yellow arrow means you can turn left when it's safe, helping traffic flow better. 

This traffic light was installed as part of the new restaurant development in the north part of the lot. Flashing yellow turn arrows are used regularly throughout the United States and is included in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and Federal Highway Administration traffic signal operations manual. 

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