It’s peak back to school season, with students across Carlsbad getting ready to settle into the school year routine. If you’re getting kids ready to ride e-bikes to school, here are a few steps you can take to help make sure they’re ready to ride.  

• Make sure your students know the importance of always wearing helmets, which are legally required for those under 18. This video shows you how to make sure their helmet fits properly. 

• Traffic lights, signs and signals apply to everyone, including people riding bikes and e-bikes. 

• Consider taking a “test ride” with your student from home to school to help them get familiar with the route. 

• There are several online courses available with more in-depth information to help your family stay safe on two wheels, including this one endorsed by CHP. 

The start of the school year is also a good time to review the new e-bike safety laws adopted by the City Council earlier this year:  

• Anyone operating an e-bike must be at least 12 years old.  

• When a minor breaks the rules and creates an immediate or substantial public safety risk, their e-bike may be impounded. The rider must complete a safety course online and pass the associated test in-person to retrieve the e-bike. A parent or guardian must be present when the e-bike is released.  

• The Police Department can also impound e-motorcycles that are not legal to ride in public.  

• While they are sometimes marketed as e-bikes, e-motorcycles are not street legal and are subject to different laws. The California Attorney General recently published a consumer alert about e-bikes and e-motorcycle safety and legality.  

• E-bikes are prohibited at Poinsettia and Pine Avenue Community Parks.