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: 

Citywide road repairs and schedule

Post Date:03/13/2025 5:55 PM

To make sure our community has a smooth drive, the City of Carlsbad is in the process of repairing nearly 40 miles of neighborhood and main city streets. By maintaining our roads now, the city also saves money in the long run because we avoid larger repairs later.  

The weekly construction map highlights areas where crews will be doing this work the week of March 17.  

  • While it’s mostly residential streets, there are some road repairs on major roads like El Camino Real and Batiquitos Drive

As a heads up, for the week of March 24, you may notice a bigger effect on traffic because the work transitions to the next stage on main city roads. This includes closing several lanes of traffic so crews can put down the slurry seal (which protects the underlying pavement) and add the temporary striping. 

You’ll see those areas reflected in the map we update in next week’s City Manager’s Update. However, we are taking steps to lessen the impact, including:  

  • Aligning road repairs along areas with schools to be during spring break (or a Saturday depending on weather)  
  • The city is not planning any night work, and we are not reducing car lanes on these streets.

We appreciate your patience as we maintain our roads and your feedback on some of the changes you’re seeing.   

Remember, the construction map is updated every week to help you avoid or minimize traffic delays and detours that often come with construction. The map only shows city projects. It doesn’t include construction projects by local utilities, private companies or other agencies.  

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