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)
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
Bike valet for summer events
The city is providing complimentary bike valets for all TGIF Concerts in the Parks and Art in the Village.
06/20/2024 9:45 AM
Park Drive slope and drainage construction
The City of Carlsbad will be improving public safety and access along Park Drive near Marina Drive starting in June.
06/17/2024 4:50 PM
Avenida Encinas improvements at Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission
City staff will present proposed designs for traffic safety improvements along Avenida Encinas between Palomar Airport Road and the Poinsettia Coaster Station at the next Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission on June 3.
05/30/2024 12:49 PM
Protecting Carlsbad Boulevard from sea level rise
This week city staff reported the outcome of a grant-funded project to show how critical infrastructure could be protected from future sea level rise.
04/26/2024 1:07 PM
Safe seaside strolling
The improvements build on safety features already in place to support safe walking, biking and driving along our coastline.
04/15/2024 1:51 PM