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: 

Barrio traffic calming options

Post Date:08/25/2025

The Carlsbad City Council will consider two options for reducing speeds in the Barrio at its next meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

In July, the Carlsbad City Council voted to move forward with a project that includes one new traffic circle at the intersection of Pine Avenue and Harding Street, instead of five traffic circles as previously proposed. Additionally, the City Council asked staff to explore different options to help reduce speeds and improve safety at other intersections in the Barrio.

The options City Council will consider on Sept. 9 include:

Option 1: A plan that includes new all-way stop signs, high-visibility crosswalks, raised crosswalks and rectangular rapid flashing beacons, which are signs that light up to alert drivers when people are crossing the street.

A map showing locations of proposed improvements under Barrio traffic calming option 1

Option 2: A plan that includes new all-way stop signs and high-visibility crosswalks.

A map showing locations of proposed improvements under Barrio traffic calming option 2

City Council meeting
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, 5 p.m.
City Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive 

There are two ways to provide input:

  • Email comments to clerk@carlsbadca.gov before the meeting
  • Attend the City Council meeting and provide comments in person

If you are unable to attend the meeting, you can watch it live on the city’s website.

Project background  

The concept for the Barrio Traffic Circles project was originally proposed in 2014 as part of the Village and Barrio Master Plan, with the overall goal of improving traffic safety and walkability.  

At its meeting on June 24, 2025, the City Council postponed a decision to award a construction contract which included five traffic circles for the Barrio Traffic Circles project, given concerns about parking impacts and recent community feedback about traffic circles and roundabouts in Carlsbad. Instead, the City Council asked staff to bring the proposal back on July 29, 2025, and include traffic calming options ranging from no traffic circles, a hybrid option with at least one traffic circle and an option to keep all five as originally proposed. Additional community input was also gathered on the topic and provided for the City Council’s consideration. 

Learn more.

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