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: 

Terramar sidewalk and street improvements

Post Date:10/29/2025 6:50 PM

On Oct. 28, the Carlsbad City Council approved a revised street improvements project for the Terramar area along Carlsbad Boulevard and Cannon Road, which will include new sidewalks and street resurfacing.

The project previously planned for the area included:

  • A roundabout at Carlsbad Boulevard and Cannon Road
  • Lane reductions on Cannon Road west of the railroad tracks
  • A traffic signal at Cerezo Drive

Following recent community feedback regarding roundabouts, the City Manager brought this item forward to give the City Council an opportunity to re-evaluate the project’s scope.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the City Council approved a smaller scale project, which does not include a roundabout or lane reductions, but will repave and restripe the project area and add sidewalks on Carlsbad Boulevard.

Terramar coastal improvements map

Next steps

Following the City Council’s approval of the smaller-scale project, staff will:

  • Work with the community to refine the project details, including whether a sidewalk is needed on both sides of the street or the west side only
  • Return to the City Council with a conceptual design for consideration in spring 2026
  • Conduct environmental review and permitting and final engineering design consistent with the City Council-approved design option
  • Return to the City Council at a future date for adoption of plans and specifications and request authorization to bid for construction

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More resources

View the staff report
Watch the meeting

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