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: 

National Work Zone Awareness Week

Post Date:04/24/2025 12:52 PM

April 21 to 25, 2025, is National Work Zone Awareness Week, and with a few major construction projects in the works on El Camino Real and Carlsbad Boulevard, it's a good time to share safety reminders to help keep everyone safe on the road. 

  • First, check our weekly construction map to see where projects are planned around Carlsbad that could impact traffic. If you can, consider an alternate route. (Remember, the map only shows projects being completed by the city, not other agencies.)
  • When you see orange cones, flashing lights or signs indicating construction is ahead, slow down.
  • If the bike lane is closed, share the road. That might mean slowing down and waiting until you get through the construction zone to pass.

View more work zone safety tips from the Federal Highway Administration.

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