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: 

E-bike minimum age

Post Date:11/20/2025 10:27 AM

On Tuesday, Dec. 2, the City Council will consider new e-bike safety measures, including adopting a minimum age of 12 for riding e-bikes in line with Assembly Bill 2234.   

City Council meeting 
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 5 p.m. 
City Council Chamber 
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive 

Assembly Bill 2234 allows cities in San Diego County, as well as the county itself, to establish a minimum age of 12 for riding e-bikes as part of a pilot program. After Assembly Bill 2234 was passed, the Carlsbad City Council requested that the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission hold a meeting to gather community input on the potential minimum age.  

The commission held a special meeting on Sept. 16, gathering more than 550 comments from community members. Most comments expressed support for a minimum age of at least 12 years old and many requested the city consider additional rules and restrictions.  

Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission recommendations 

The commission voted to recommend the City Council:  

  • Adopt a minimum age of 12 to operate an e-bike 

  • Prohibit riders under age 16 from riding with passengers 

  • Research the feasibility of Carlsbad joining Assembly Bill 1778, a pilot program in Marin County that allows local agencies to prohibit anyone under age 16 from riding a class 2 e-bike 

Additional staff recommendations 

On July 29, 2025, the City Council directed the City Manager to work with the Police Chief and City Attorney to develop recommendations to enhance enforcement tools to maintain public safety and address aggressive e-bike riding behavior, particularly among youth. 

  • In 2022, Carlsbad became the first city in the region to pass local e-bike safety laws to curtail reckless riding as a key part of the city’s broader traffic safety strategy.  

  • Since then, the city has gathered more data and community input as e-bikes have continued to gain popularity.  

  • Staff have identified measures that could clarify existing Carlsbad-specific e-bikes laws as well as new rules to strengthen Carlsbad’s approach 

The City Council will consider these staff recommendations at its Dec. 2 meeting, in addition to the recommendations from the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission.  

More details will be available in the agenda and staff report, which will be posted on the city’s website by Wednesday, Nov. 26.  

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