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: 

Kelly Elementary Safe Routes to School

Post Date:04/22/2026

The City of Carlsbad has launched an online survey to gather input on potential street improvements in the area around Kelly Elementary School.

It’s part of the city’s effort to develop a Safe Routes to School plan for Kelly Elementary School, which will identify short- and long-term infrastructure improvements. The development of the plan follows other recent street improvements along Kelly Drive, including new all-way stops, a new queue lane for the school parking lot and restriping the street median.

The City of Carlsbad is working with Kelly Elementary School and the neighboring community to identify street improvements in the area.

  • Safe Routes to School is one way the city is working with the community to enhance traffic safety and is based on the 3 E’s of traffic safety: education, enforcement and engineering.
  • These plans create opportunities for city staff to collaborate with students, parents, school officials and nearby residents to develop a plan that reflects the needs of the surrounding community.

Community input is a crucial component of developing a Safe Routes to School plan, so I encourage you to take a moment to share your thoughts if you live in the area or have a student at the school.

The online survey will be open through May 18. You can also share input by emailing us at traffic@carlsbadca.gov.

Background

During its meeting on Dec. 9, 2025, the City Council directed staff to develop a Safe Routes to School plan to identify future street improvements near Kelly Elementary School. Developing a Safe Routes to School plan takes about one year. In addition to working with the community to gather input, the city is analyzing current conditions to identify potential improvements.

Once the improvements have been identified, staff will present the final plan to the City Council for review and consideration.

Learn more

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