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
New e-bike laws are now in effect in Carlsbad. 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
Several organizations off bike and e-bike safety courses online:
- 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)
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
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