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)
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
Repainting scramble intersections
City of Carlsbad crews are putting a fresh coat of paint on the city’s two “scramble” intersections – those that allow pedestrians to cross in any direction, including diagonally.
02/10/2025
New signal and crosswalk on Avenida Encinas
A new traffic signal is turned on and a new crosswalk is now accessible along Avenida Encinas south of Poinsettia Lane, at the northern entrance to the shopping area.
01/16/2025 12:34 PM
Artist selected for new Barrio artwork
This week, an advisory committee made up of two community members, a transportation professional and two members of the city’s Arts Commission selected Mario Torero to create the newest piece of public art for the Barrio, Carlsbad’s oldest neighborhood.
12/23/2024 12:13 PM
Help select artist Barrio public art
The City of Carlsbad is adding a new public art piece in the Barrio, Carlsbad’s oldest neighborhood, and is in the process of selecting an artist.
12/05/2024 3:10 PM
Help select artist for Barrio public art
Last year, we received input from the community on the vision for the public art that will be featured in the center of a new traffic circle in the Barrio at Pine Avenue and Harding Street, one of the gateways into the Barrio.
11/04/2024 10:29 AM
Flashing yellow arrow traffic light
To support safe walking and driving along Avenida Encinas north of Palomar Airport Road, a new traffic signal was installed near the entrance of the restaurants. It’s planned to turn on Monday, Oct. 28.
10/24/2024 3:19 PM
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.
08/20/2024 3:34 PM
Rules for e-bikes and e-motorcycles
With the rise in popularity of e-bikes and the new school year approaching, you might start to see even more e-bikes on the street. When we talk to people about e-bikes and traffic safety, we’re often asked about the difference between e-bikes and e-motorcycles.
08/19/2024 1:58 PM
Changes to Sea Wall and stairs coming
The Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission will review a project on Aug. 5 to replace the upper seawall stairs along Carlsbad Boulevard and widen the sidewalk between Cherry and Pine avenues.
08/14/2024 6:00 AM
SANDAG construction at La Costa Avenue at I-5
As part of the freeway widening project being led by SANDAG and Caltrans, you may notice construction work on La Costa Avenue over I-5 over the next several weeks.
08/12/2024 5:00 AM
Why we’re safer together in Carlsbad
At Monday’s Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission meeting, our Police Department presented traffic collision data from the second quarter of the year. So far this year, we have had zero traffic related fatalities in Carlsbad, compared to six during the same timeframe last year and five the first six
08/09/2024 1:00 PM