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: 

Barrio traffic calming construction

Post Date:01/29/2026 4:56 PM

Several infrastructure improvements are planned in the Barrio this year, including pedestrian lighting improvements, traffic safety measures and water and sewer pipeline replacements.

Earlier this week, construction started to install more than 100 new pedestrian lights in the Barrio. And on Tuesday, the Carlsbad City Council approved the construction contract for traffic safety measures and water and sewer pipeline replacements, clearing the way for construction to begin this spring. Here’s a recap of what is planned:

Traffic calming

Dozens of street improvements are planned in the Barrio to help reduce speeds and enhance safety at several intersections, including:

  • New all-way stop signs at 4 intersections: Oak Avenue and Jefferson Street; Chestnut Avenue and Madison Street; Chestnut Avenue and Roosevelt Street; and Magnolia Avenue and Madison Street
  • 43 new high-visibility crosswalks
  • One raised crosswalk, which is similar to a speed cushion with a painted crosswalk on it
  • Six rectangular rapid flashing beacons, which are signs that light up to alert drivers when people are crossing the street

One traffic circle with public art, which was previously approved by the City Council during its July 29 meeting

Map showing locations of proposed traffic calming measures in the Barrio

Water and sewer improvements

Before street improvements can be completed, aging water and sewer pipelines will be replaced near several intersections to improve reliability and meet current standards. This work is planned near:

  • Harding Street and Pine Avenue
  • Oak Avenue and Jefferson Street
  • Oak Avenue and Harding Street
  • Harding Street and Palm Avenue
  • Chestnut Avenue and Roosevelt Street
  • Chestnut Avenue and Madison Street
  • Madison Street and Pine Avenue

Construction on these projects should take about a year and is expected to be complete by spring 2027.

Thank you for your patience during construction. A lot of work is planned in the Barrio this year, and we know that can cause inconveniences. We will notify residents and businesses in advance about potential impacts and work as quickly as possible to minimize disruptions.

Sign up for email updates to get the latest news on these projects and other projects planned in the Village and Barrio.

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