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: 

Carlsbad Blvd and Tamarack options at City Council

Post Date:04/25/2025 2:13 PM

Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue coastal improvements 

On April 29, the Carlsbad City Council will revisit options for intersection improvements at Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue. Read the staff report. 

Since some project funding is tied to a grant from the San Diego Association of Governments, which expires in May 2025, the City Manager is bringing this item forward to give the City Council an opportunity to re-evaluate the project’s scope with options to:

  • Confirm the City Council’s previous direction approving a roundabout at the intersection and waiting to start construction of the project until more data can be collected and evaluated on how traffic is performing at the nearby roundabout at Carlsbad Boulevard and Cannon Road when it is completed 
  • Approve a traffic signal at the intersection with other improvements 
  • Approve a smaller scale project with limited intersection improvements, including enhanced pedestrian pathway and crosswalks and upgraded curb ramps to meet ADA standards

See the original renderings of the roundabout and traffic signal options.

City Council 
Tuesday, April 29, 5 p.m.
Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Read the agenda, staff report

How to participate 
Members of the community may attend this public meeting and provide comment. 

Carlsbad Blvd Tamarack map

More information 

Previous City Council direction - minutes
Traffic safety resources

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