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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: 

E-bike rules: Next steps

Post Date:02/05/2026 9:20 AM

At its meeting in December 2025, the City Council directed staff to develop an ordinance (city law) outlining several new e-bike safety rules. As the next step in the process, the Carlsbad City Council will consider the new ordinance at its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10.

Carlsbad City Council meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 10, 5 p.m.
City Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive

The agenda and staff report for the Feb. 10 City Council meeting will be available on the city’s website by Friday, Feb. 6.

Proposed safety rules

The new rules, combined with existing state law, could allow the city to: 

  • Set a minimum age of 12 to operate an e-bike, as allowed by Assembly Bill 2234  
  • Clarify definitions of unsafe riding behavior, equipment requirements and the responsibilities of parents and guardians 
  • Impound e-bikes that are being ridden recklessly by minors or e-motorcycles, which are not street legal. 
  • Prohibit e-bikes at Poinsettia and Pine Avenue Community Parks, based on service calls received by the Police Department and community feedback, and authorize the City Manager to restrict e-bike use at other parks as needed. 

Next steps

Before the new rules go into effect, state law requires a few specific steps to be completed. Here’s how that timeline could look:

  • Feb. 10: City Council introduces the ordinance
  • Feb. 24: City Council considers adopting the ordinance
  • Feb. 25: The city would launch a 30-day public information campaign to raise awareness before the new rules take effect 
  • March 26: New laws could take effect, beginning with a 60-day warning period
  • May 25: 60-day warning period ends

Additionally, the team is continuing to explore state legislation that would allow Carlsbad to prohibit riders under age 16 from transporting passengers and join a Marin County pilot program. The pilot program could allow Carlsbad to adopt stricter laws for class 2 e-bikes, which can be ridden without pedaling, including a minimum age of 16 and a helmet requirement for anyone, regardless of age.

The city will continue to share updates throughout this process. Sign up to receive emails with the latest information.

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