Carlsbad mulls age limit for e-bike riders to boost safety
CARLSBAD, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- In a move aimed at improving safety on local streets and trails, the City of Carlsbad’s Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission voted Tuesday to recommend a minimum age of 12 for riding e-bikes within the city.
The decision comes amid growing concern over youth safety and follows the passage of Assembly Bill 2234, a pilot program allowing cities in San Diego County to set their own age limits for e-bike use.
During the special meeting held Sept. 16, commissioners reviewed more than 550 public comments, most of which expressed support for establishing a minimum age and encouraged the city to go even further with additional rules.
While state law limits how far local governments can go—prohibiting cities from requiring licenses, for example—the commission went a step further, urging the city council to lobby the state for more local control. Proposed measures include:
- Licensing, registration, and insurance requirements for e-bike riders
- Expanding the age restriction beyond 12
- Prohibiting riders under 16 from carrying passengers
Carlsbad has taken a proactive stance on e-bike safety since 2022, when it became the first city in the region to pass local e-bike laws aimed at curbing reckless behavior.
Under current city rules:
- Helmets are required for anyone under 18 or riding Class 3 e-bikes
- Riders must obey traffic signals and avoid sidewalks
- Speed must be reduced in pedestrian-heavy areas
- Riders must refrain from riding on sidewalks
The Carlsbad Police Department has been actively enforcing these rules, conducting nearly 180 traffic stops between May and September 2025. First-time offenders are often given the option to attend a bike safety course in lieu of a fine—a program that officials say has significantly reduced repeat offenses.
To that end, the city has partnered with local school districts to implement bike safety and permit programs for middle and high school students. Carlsbad PD also remains the only agency in the county with officers certified as bike instructors by the League of American Bicyclists.
Since 2022, the department has hosted 24 bike safety courses with more than 1,500 participants.
What’s next?
The Carlsbad City Council will now consider the commission’s recommendations and public input before deciding whether to move forward with new legislation. A vote on the proposed ordinance has not yet been scheduled.
Residents interested in following the process can sign up for city council meeting notifications at carlsbadca.gov.
