Carlsbad, CA
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Safer Streets Together Plan
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 will go into effect on March 26, 2026, followed by a 60-day warning period.
Here is what to expect when the new laws go into effect:
- 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.
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Parents are responsible for knowingly allowing their children to commit violations.
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:
- E-bike safety and training course (CHP endorsed)
- E-bike course offered by Motorcycle Safety Foundation and People for Bikes ($35.99)
- Electric Bike Academy ($50)
- League of American Bicyclists learning center (several resources available)
Grand Avenue street improvements
The City of Carlsbad is considering ways to improve parking and traffic safety along Grand Avenue by converting existing parallel parking to diagonal parking and installing a new all-way stop at the intersection of Grand Avenue at Madison Street.
03/03/2026 9:47 AM
Barrio stop signs
The City of Carlsbad is installing new all-way stop signs at four intersections in the Barrio as part of the city’s efforts to help reduce speeds and improve safety in the Barrio.
02/26/2026 12:31 PM
New e-bike laws
Stronger e-bike safety laws will be effective in Carlsbad starting March 26, 2026, after the City Council formally adopted the laws at its meeting this week.
02/25/2026 9:21 AM
New e-bike rules
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.
02/12/2026 4:28 PM
More street improvements completed on Kelly Drive
The City of Carlsbad recently completed additional street improvements to enhance safety and reduce traffic congestion near Kelly Elementary School.
02/05/2026 9:32 AM
E-bike rules: Next steps
The Carlsbad City Council will consider next steps for enacting several new e-bike safety rules at its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
02/05/2026 9:20 AM
Barrio traffic calming construction
More than 40 high visibility crosswalks, four all-way stop signs and a traffic circle will be installed in the Barrio under a plan to reduce speeds in the neighborhood the City Council approved this week.
01/29/2026 4:56 PM
Grand Avenue street improvements
The City of Carlsbad is considering ways to improve parking and traffic safety along Grand Avenue by converting existing parallel parking to diagonal parking and installing new all-way stop -at the intersection of Grand Avenue at Madison Street.
01/26/2026 6:08 PM
New stop sign at State and Laguna
New stop signs will be installed at the intersection of State Street at Laguna Drive next month to help address community concerns about safety. The City Council approved the new stop signs at its meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
01/16/2026 4:05 PM
More lighting for Barrio sidewalks
Construction is starting soon on a project to install more than 100 new lights next to sidewalks throughout the Barrio.
01/08/2026 3:37 PM
New e-bike safety rules
New e-bike safety measures are coming to Carlsbad soon, including a minimum age of 12 for riding e-bikes and rules to strengthen and clarify Carlsbad’s existing e-bike laws. The city will launch a 30-day public information campaign in the new year to raise awareness of the new laws.
12/03/2025 4:02 PM
Proposed e-bike safety measures
New e-bike safety measures, including adopting a minimum age of 12 for riding e-bikes, will go before the City Council next Tuesday, Dec. 2. The recommendations are coming from staff and the city’s Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission.
12/01/2025 8:50 AM
Final design for Barrio traffic calming
More than 40 high visibility crosswalks, four all-way stop signs and a traffic circle will be installed in the Barrio under a plan to reduce speeds in the neighborhood the City Council approved this week.
11/20/2025 4:56 PM
E-bike minimum age
On Tuesday, Dec. 2, the City Council will consider new e-bike safety measures, including adopting a minimum age of 12 for riding e-bikes in line with Assembly Bill 2234.
11/20/2025 10:27 AM
Gearing up for a safe holiday
With the upcoming holiday and school break, you’ll notice more people walking, biking and driving around Carlsbad. If you’re driving, please give yourself extra time to get where you need to go and avoid distractions. Thanks for your help to keep Carlsbad safe.
11/18/2025 3:16 PM
Construction to start on beach stairs and sidewalk
Construction will begin soon along Carlsbad Boulevard between Pine and Tamarack avenues to replace the upper seawall stairs and widen a portion of the sidewalk.
11/04/2025 12:59 PM
Terramar sidewalk and street improvements
On Oct. 28, the Carlsbad City Council approved a revised street improvements project for the Terramar area along Carlsbad Boulevard and Cannon Road, which will include new sidewalks and street resurfacing.
10/29/2025 6:50 PM
Halloween traffic safety reminders
Halloween is always a busy time in Carlsbad, so please be extra cautious when you’re on our roads. These tips can help everyone have a safe, fun evening.
10/28/2025 10:04 AM
Terramar area options at City Council
On Oct. 28, the Carlsbad City Council will revisit options for improvements around the Terramar area along Carlsbad Boulevard and Cannon Road.
10/23/2025 3:05 PM
Weekend road closures
This weekend, the Bike MS ride is taking place along the coast in Carlsbad. If you’re planning to be in the areas of Carlsbad Boulevard, Cannon Road or Avenida Encinas, please give yourself extra time and drive carefully.
10/16/2025