Stronger e-bike safety laws will go into effect on March 26 in Carlsbad, following a 30-day public information campaign. Here’s what’s included in the new laws:

• 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.
• The operation of e-bikes is prohibited at Poinsettia and Pine Avenue Community Parks.
• Anyone operating an e-bike must be at least 12 years old, as allowed by Assembly Bill 2234.

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 on any bike or e-bike, and riders of all ages on a class 3 e-bike 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.

A 60-day warning period begins March 26, with officers focusing primarily on education and increasing awareness of the new laws, including the minimum age requirement. During the warning period, officers may still issue citations if riders violate previously existing e-bike laws, which require riders to follow the same rules of the road as drivers.

The warning period will end on May 25, which happens to be Memorial Day.

Spring break safety reminders

Some Carlsbad schools started spring break this week, with more to follow next week or the week after. While students are on spring break, more people will be out walking and biking.

Whether you’re driving, biking or walking, please look out for each other on the road, put away distractions and give yourself extra time to get where you need to go.

Details regarding the new laws are available on the city’s website.

Learn more.