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 effective March 26, 2026 

The Carlsbad City Council formally adopted new e-bike laws at its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 24. The news laws are in effect as of March 26, 2026, starting with a 60-day warning period.

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

The Carlsbad Police Department hosts quarterly bike and e-bike safety classes. Sign up to be the first to know when new classes are added.

Online resources are also available: 

Halloween traffic safety reminders

Post Date:10/28/2025 10:04 AM

Halloween is always a busy time in Carlsbad, so please be extra cautious when you’re on our roads. These tips can help everyone have a safe, fun evening.

If you’ll be driving Halloween night: 

  • More people will be out walking. Slow down and watch for trick-or-treaters. Anticipate what you would do if a kid dashed out from behind a parked car mid-block, wearing a dark costume.  
  • Put your phone away and avoid other distractions while driving, like admiring neighborhood Halloween décor. It’s more fun to stop and get a closer look anyway. 
  • Be extra careful when you’re backing out of driveways. 

Other tips 

  • Make sure costumes are visible to drivers. Reflective tape or glow sticks attached to costumes or bags can help. 
  • Bring enough adults to supervise kids trick or treating. 
  • If you’re walking at night, consider bringing a flashlight, or use the light on your phone (make sure your battery is charged). Cross streets at corners and watch for cars backing out of driveways. 
  • If you’re biking, remember that lights are required on the front and back of your bike when it’s dark outside. 

As always, the Carlsbad Police Department will be out to help keep everyone safe. If you notice suspicious activity, report it to the 24-hour non-emergency line at 442-339-2197, and for emergencies, call 9-1-1. 

Thanks to your extra attention, we have made Carlsbad’s streets safer. By working together, we can make sure the only thing scary about Halloween is the costumes.

View year-round traffic safety tips. 

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