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Safer Streets Together Plan

Safer Streets Together

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I care about my community and pledge to do my part to keep Carlsbad's streets safe for everyone.

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We all share the road, whether we drive, bike or walk. Letʼs look out for one another and be the best versions of ourselves on the road. Share the responsibility. Be safe.

Driving

Slow down
Put my phone down
Stop at all stop signs
Use extra care when turning

Biking

Always wear a helmet
Use lights at night
Ride with traffic
Obey all signs/signals

Walking

Try to cross at crosswalks
Remove distractions
Wear bright colors
Carry a flashlight at night

Tips and resources

Bike helmets

Helmets are required for riders under 18. Make sure your helmet fits properly to provide the best protection.
There should be about two finger widths between your eyebrows and the bottom of the helmet, about two finger widths between your chin and the helmet strap, and the strap should form a "Y" shape over your ear.

Video guide

Right turns

One of the most common types of collisions between cars and bicycles is called the "right hook," which is when a car turning right collides with someone riding in the bike lane.
If you're driving, first look for bikes, then move as far to the right as you can before turning. If you see dashes in a bike lane, that usually means it's a good place to move over to the right before turning. If there isn't enough space for you to safely pass a cyclist before moving to the right, slow down and wait behind the cyclist before you turn.
If you're biking, slow down behind turning cars or, if space and traffic allows, pass turning cars on the left.

Video guide

Avoid distractions

We all know the dangers of distracted driving. If you’re having a hard time resisting the urge to check your phone when you’re driving, here are a few tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

Before you get in the car, turn on your phone’s “Do not disturb” feature.
If you’re riding with other people in the car, hand your phone to your passenger. They can reply to any time-sensitive texts for you.
Put your phone in the backseat or even your trunk before you get behind the wheel. Out of sight, out of mind.

Remember, drivers under the age of 18 may not use any mobile communications device at all, whether hands-free or hand-held.

Test your knowledge with a distracted driving quiz from the California Office of Traffic Safety.

More resources

Traffic safety videos

The city has a growing library of traffic safety videos that highlight how we can all look out for one another and be the best versions of ourselves on the road.

Making Sure Your Bike Helmet Fits

Got a New E-bike? Check This Out

Right Turns

Sharing the Road

5 Ways You Could Be Breaking the Law on Your E-bike

What Happens if You Break the Rules on Your E-bike

E-bikes and the Law

Know Your E-bike Type

Catching Up on Bike and E-bike Safety

Prepping for a Night Bike Ride

Ask the City: Speed Limits

The "Dutch Reach" 101

Archived News

New e-bike laws - warning period ends
The 60-day warning period for the new e-bike safety laws will end on May 25, which is Memorial Day. While officers will continue to focus on education, people who break the new laws could begin to receive citations.
05/22/2026 10:24 AM
Bike safety month reminders
May is National Bicycle Safety Month, and with the beautiful weather in Carlsbad lately, more people are gearing up to explore Carlsbad on two wheels. Whether you are biking, walking or driving, please look out for each other on the road.
04/30/2026 10:24 AM
Village lighting improvements
New energy-efficient pedestrian lighting and upgrades to existing tree lights are planned throughout the Village. The city's Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission is scheduled to receive an update on the Village Lighting Project at its next meeting on May 4.
04/28/2026 2:20 PM
New all-way stops proposed
The City of Carlsbad will share updates on new proposed all-way stops at three locations citywide during the upcoming Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission meeting on May 4.
04/28/2026 2:10 PM
All-way stop at Grand and Madison
A new all-way stop at Grand Avenue and Madison Street will make it easier for our community members to cross the street or turn onto Grand. In this video, you can go behind the scenes with our crew who did the installation Wednesday morning.
04/23/2026 3:52 PM
Kelly Elementary Safe Routes to School
The City of Carlsbad has launched an online survey to gather input on potential street improvements in the area around Kelly Elementary School.
04/22/2026
New e-bike laws start 3/26
Stronger e-bike safety laws will go into effect on March 26 in Carlsbad, following a 30-day public information campaign.
03/26/2026 7:06 PM
New Barrio stop signs
The City of Carlsbad installed new all-way stop signs and enhanced crosswalks at four intersections in the Barrio during the last couple of weeks.
03/13/2026 12:56 PM
Terramar sidewalks
The City of Carlsbad is developing options for street improvements in the Terramar area and we are seeking input to help guide decisions about how the project should move forward.
03/10/2026 7:34 PM
Grand Avenue street improvements
The City of Carlsbad is considering ways to improve parking and traffic safety along Grand Avenue by converting existing parallel parking to diagonal parking and installing a new all-way stop at the intersection of Grand Avenue at Madison Street.
03/03/2026 9:47 AM
Barrio stop signs
The City of Carlsbad is installing new all-way stop signs at four intersections in the Barrio as part of the city’s efforts to help reduce speeds and improve safety in the Barrio.
02/26/2026 12:31 PM
New e-bike laws
Stronger e-bike safety laws will be effective in Carlsbad starting March 26, 2026, after the City Council formally adopted the laws at its meeting this week.
02/25/2026 9:21 AM
New e-bike rules
At its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10, the Carlsbad City Council took the next step toward enacting stricter e-bike laws by adopting a resolution and introducing a new ordinance, which is the technical term for a city law.
02/12/2026 4:28 PM
More street improvements completed on Kelly Drive
The City of Carlsbad recently completed additional street improvements to enhance safety and reduce traffic congestion near Kelly Elementary School.
02/05/2026 9:32 AM
E-bike rules: Next steps
The Carlsbad City Council will consider next steps for enacting several new e-bike safety rules at its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
02/05/2026 9:20 AM
Barrio traffic calming construction
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.
01/29/2026 4:56 PM
Grand Avenue street improvements
The City of Carlsbad is considering ways to improve parking and traffic safety along Grand Avenue by converting existing parallel parking to diagonal parking and installing new all-way stop -at the intersection of Grand Avenue at Madison Street.
01/26/2026 6:08 PM
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