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 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.
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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)
Traffic calming explained (and how you can sign up)
The city has a traffic calming program designed to address neighborhood concerns about speeding in Carlsbad.
03/29/2024 9:33 AM
Tamarack improvements making a difference
On Tuesday night, the City Council decided to hold off on pursuing a long-term redesign of Tamarack Avenue, recognizing the effectiveness of existing traffic calming measures and responsibility of conserving funds for unknown future construction costs.
02/29/2024 10:36 AM
Long-term redesign Tamarack Avenue discussed at City Council
The Carlsbad City Council will discuss proceeding with a more long-term, permanent change to redesign Tamarack Avenue from Carlsbad Village Drive to Carlsbad Boulevard on Tuesday, Feb. 27.
02/23/2024 8:48 AM
New striping, same rules of the road
The city’s transportation staff presented an update to the City Council Tuesday on several projects, including the resurfacing and restriping of major east-west roadways.
01/12/2024 12:59 PM
Preserved parking prioritized in Barrio
Based on feedback from the community, the Carlsbad City Council selected curb extensions for two intersections in the Barrio.
01/11/2024 9:11 AM
Have your say: Safe routes to school
The City of Carlsbad is seeking public input on areas around two schools, Jefferson Elementary School and Sage Creek High School, where enhancements could be made for walking and biking routes.
01/08/2024 12:48 PM
Barrio traffic circle update
The Carlsbad City Council will receive an update on the Barrio traffic circle project and select a traffic calming option for Palm Avenue and Harding Street, and Magnolia Avenue and Madison Street, on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 5 p.m.
01/04/2024 6:08 PM
Addressing DUIs
With holiday parties ramping up, it’s an important time to plan ahead, so everyone gets home safely.
12/08/2023 12:07 PM
Traffic safety tips and excellence award
This holiday season, please give yourself plenty of time to get where you need to go and remember to keep an eye out for more people on our roads, especially if it’s raining.
11/17/2023 11:34 AM
Bike valet at Carlsbad Village Faire
The City of Carlsbad is hosting bike valet services for the Carlsbad Village Faire on Sunday, Nov. 5.
10/27/2023 12:11 PM
Upcoming bike safety classes
As Carlsbad students head back to school later this month, the Carlsbad Police Department is continuing its series of bike and e-bike safety classes to help kids safely share the road.
08/02/2023 2:11 PM
Carlsbad Blvd and Tamarack intersection
The Carlsbad City Council will discuss the Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue improvements project on Tuesday, July 18, to move forward with the environmental review, permitting and final engineering design for a roundabout or traffic signal at the intersection.
07/13/2023 5:33 PM
Hundreds attend bike safety classes
On Monday, nearly 300 students and parents from schools in Carlsbad and other North County cities learned about bike safety from certified instructors with the Carlsbad Police Department.
07/11/2023 12:50 PM
New bike safety classes added
Carlsbad Police Officers, who are certified bike instructors, will cover the basics to help students stay safe on two wheels.
07/05/2023 3:21 PM
Give input: Tyler Street improvements
The City of Carlsbad is seeking community feedback on options to improve safety and connectivity on Tyler Street, between Oak Avenue and Chestnut Avenue.
06/07/2023 3:16 PM
Traffic projects move forward
This week the Traffic & Mobility Commission advanced several traffic safety projects and initiatives related to improving how people get around Carlsbad.
06/07/2023 3:07 PM
Reducing speeding in Carlsbad
On Tuesday, the City Council awarded a new contract to resurface and restripe about 16 miles of main east-west streets in Carlsbad to support safer speeds on our roadways, including:
06/07/2023 2:50 PM
Traffic projects to be discussed
On Monday, June 5, the Traffic & Mobility Commission will meet to discuss several traffic safety projects and initiatives related to improving how people get around Carlsbad in whatever way they want to do that, whether that’s by driving, biking, walking or using public transportation.
06/02/2023 9:43 AM
Carlsbad Boulevard pedestrian improvements
Construction is underway on Carlsbad Boulevard at the pedestrian crossing in front of the Army and Navy Academy (between Mountain View Drive and Cypress Avenue) for an improvement project that will enhance visibility and safety for those crossing the street, as well as for bicyclists.
05/31/2023 9:30 AM
Hands-on bike safety class
The City of Carlsbad, in partnership with the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, has scheduled a new City Cycling Class to provide an opportunity for hands-on bike safety training.
05/25/2023 4:09 PM