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: 

New Barrio stop signs

Post Date:03/13/2026 12:56 PM

The City of Carlsbad installed new all-way stop signs and enhanced crosswalks at four intersections in the Barrio during the last couple of weeks.

You can follow along with our crews in this video, which shows the all-way stop being installed at Chestnut and Madison.

Barrio stop signs video thumbnail

These new stop signs are designed to slow speeds and make it safer for everyone walking, biking and driving through the neighborhood.

This work is part of improvements happening in the Barrio through spring 2027, including additional traffic safety improvements, water and sewer pipeline replacements, and new pedestrian lighting. You may have already noticed the new pedestrian lights going up around the neighborhood, helping support walkability and safety.

We know construction can be inconvenient, so we appreciate your patience while we work on these improvements! I encourage you to sign up for email updates on these projects so you can get the latest information right to your email inbox.

Learn more.

 

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