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)
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
Citywide road repairs and schedule
To make sure our community has a smooth drive, the City of Carlsbad is in the process of repairing nearly 40 miles of neighborhood and main city streets. By maintaining our roads now, the city also saves money in the long run because we avoid larger repairs later.
03/13/2025 5:55 PM
Final design of Barrio traffic circles at City Council
On Tuesday, March 4, the Carlsbad City Council agenda includes an item to approve the plans, specifications and authorization to bid for the Barrio traffic circle project.
02/28/2025 9:48 AM