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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: 

New e-bike rules

Post Date:02/12/2026 4:28 PM

At its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10, the Carlsbad City Council took the next step toward enacting stricter e-bike laws by adopting a resolution and introducing a new ordinance, which is the technical term for a city law.  

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

  • 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, the City Council is required to first introduce the ordinance, which it did during Tuesday’s meeting, then officially adopt the ordinance at a future meeting. The City Council is scheduled to consider adopting the ordinance during its meeting on Feb. 24.  

Carlsbad City Council meeting 
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 5 p.m. 
City Council Chamber 
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive 

If the ordinance is adopted, the city would launch first a campaign focused on awareness and education before issuing citations. Here’s how that process could look:  

  • Feb. 25: 30-day public information campaign could begin to raise awareness 

  • March 26: New laws could take effect, beginning with a 60-day warning period 

  • May 25: 60-day warning period ends 

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

Background 

Last year, the Carlsbad City Council requested the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission to gather community input on establishing a minimum age for riding e-bikes, as allowed by AB 2234. Additionally, the City Council asked staff to develop strategies to address aggressive e-bike riding behavior and maintain public safety. 

After reviewing community input gathered in fall 2025 and recommendations from staff and the city’s Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission, the City Council voted on Dec. 2 to move forward with the new e-bike safety rules, asking staff to develop an ordinance for consideration. 

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