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: 

Potential e-bike minimum age

Post Date:08/06/2025

The City of Carlsbad’s Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission will hold a special meeting Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 5 p.m. to gather community input on whether Carlsbad should prohibit e-bike use by children under age 12.

  • The Carlsbad City Council requested that the commission hold this meeting to receive resident feedback and make a recommendation for City Council consideration.
  • When we asked for community input before launching the city’s Safer Streets Together program in 2022, one of the top requests was to require licenses or establish a minimum age for riding e-bikes.  
  • Carlsbad was the first city in the region to pass local laws to curtail reckless riding and address other unsafe use of e-bikes, but state law limits the city’s ability to adopt licensing and minimum age requirements.

The city’s legislative team worked with State Assemblymember Tasha Boerner to sponsor legislation that addressed this issue - Assembly Bill 2234. Here are a few important notes about how the legislation works:

  • It allows cities in San Diego County, as well as the county itself, to establish a minimum age of 12 for riding e-bikes.
  • Technically, this new law applies only to “class 1” and “class 2” e-bikes. Class 3 e-bikes already have a minimum age of 16. Learn more about different types of e-bikes.
  • State law still prevents cities from adopting licensing requirements. However, some school districts operating in Carlsbad have worked with the city to develop bike safety or permit programs for students.

How to provide input

The City Council is seeking community input before considering whether to establish the e-bike minimum age here in Carlsbad. There are two ways to provide input: 

  • Email traffic@carlsbadca.gov by 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16
  • Attend the meeting and provide a comment in person

Special Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission meeting
Tuesday, Sept. 16, 5 p.m.
City Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive

All feedback will be shared with the City Council.

More information

Traffic safety resources for parents
Safer Streets Together
Carlsbad specific e-bike laws

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