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.
Potential minimum age for e-bike riders
During a special meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16, the City of Carlsbad’s Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission voted to recommend the City Council adopt a minimum age of 12 for riding e-bikes and consider additional actions.
Recent state legislation, Assembly Bill 2234, allows cities in San Diego County, as well as the county itself, to establish a minimum age of 12 for riding e-bikes as part of a pilot program. After the state legislation was passed, the Carlsbad City Council requested that the commission hold this meeting to gather community input on the potential minimum age.
The City Council will review the community input gathered before and during this week’s Traffic Safety & Mobility meeting and discuss whether to adopt the commission’s recommendations.
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More information
Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission meeting recording
Staff report
Assembly Bill 2234
Safety classes
The Carlsbad Police Department hosts quarterly bike and e-bike safety classes. The most recent classes were held in August 2025. 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)
E-bike rules
The City of Carlsbad was the first city in the region to pass local laws that make it easier to enforce the safe and considerate use of e-bikes, scooters and other similar ways of getting around town.
- The changes allow police to issue citations, but also allow most first-time violators to avoid penalty if they agree to take a safety course put on by the Police Department.
- Overall, bicyclists and e-bike riders are subject to all the same rules of the road as drivers.
- Riders who don’t follow the rules are subject to ticketing and fines as defined by the California Vehicle Code or Carlsbad Municipal Code.
Learn about the changes to the Carlsbad Municipal Code.
Download and print a one-page overview.
*E-motorcycles have different requirements than e-bikes. Riders need a license, vehicle registration and insurance, and must follow the same rules on the road as motorcycles.
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
Age limit for e-bikes
During a special meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16, the City of Carlsbad’s Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission voted to recommend the City Council adopt a minimum age of 12 for riding e-bikes and consider additional actions.
09/17/2025 4:27 PM
Potential e-bike minimum age
The City of Carlsbad’s Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission will hold a special meeting Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 5 p.m. to gather community input on whether Carlsbad should prohibit e-bike use by children under age 12.
09/11/2025 10:30 AM
Barrio traffic calming
During its meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 the Carlsbad City Council voted to move forward with several measures to reduce speeds in the Barrio.
09/10/2025 3:06 PM
Barrio traffic calming options
The Carlsbad City Council will consider two options for reducing speeds in the Barrio at its next meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9.
08/25/2025
Back to school tips
As students across Carlsbad head back to school, the City of Carlsbad wants it to be a safe and successful year for everyone.
08/12/2025 3:32 PM
Potential e-bike minimum age
The City of Carlsbad’s Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission will hold a special meeting Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 5 p.m. to gather community input on whether Carlsbad should prohibit e-bike use by children under age 12.
08/06/2025
Barrio Traffic Circle project revised
The Carlsbad City Council approved one traffic circle with public art at the intersection of Pine Avenue and Harding Street and other traffic calming measures in the Barrio
07/30/2025 10:09 PM
Give input on Barrio traffic circles
The Carlsbad City Council is seeking community input before its July 29 meeting on whether to move forward with a project to install traffic circles at five intersections in the Barrio or explore different ways to reduce speeding.
07/07/2025 1:43 PM
Barrio traffic calming
The City Council asked staff to bring back the proposal for traffic circles in the Barrio during the July 29 meeting, to give the community another opportunity to provide input on the traffic circles and other options to reduce speeding.
06/27/2025
Safety enhancements - Carlsbad Blvd and Tamarack
On Tuesday, the City Council directed staff to pursue a smaller scale project at Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue that focuses on ADA-related safety enhancements.
05/01/2025 4:49 PM
Carlsbad Blvd and Tamarack options at City Council
On April 29, the Carlsbad City Council will revisit options for intersection improvements at Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue.
04/25/2025 2:13 PM
National Work Zone Awareness Week
April 21 to 25, 2025, is National Work Zone Awareness Week, and with a few major construction projects in the works on El Camino Real and Carlsbad Boulevard, it's a good time to share safety reminders to help keep everyone safe on the road.
04/24/2025 12:52 PM
Temporary traffic delays - northbound El Camino Real
Construction to widen segment of northbound El Camino Real. Anticipate temporary traffic delays
04/03/2025 1:50 PM
Plan ahead for road construction
Our weekly construction map is updated with anticipated construction work next week to help you avoid or minimize traffic delays and detours that often come with construction.
03/20/2025 11:00 AM
Improving drainage behind Kelly Drive
The City of Carlsbad is working to improve drainage in the area along the Kelly channel behind Kelly Drive.
03/20/2025 11:00 AM