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.

Safety classes

The Carlsbad Police Department hosts quarterly bike and e-bike safety classes. No classes are scheduled at this time, but you can sign up to get an email when new classes are scheduled.

Additionally, the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition hosts a variety of bike safety classes and bike rodeos where participants get hands-on practice. View upcoming events.

E-bike rules

The City of Carlsbad was the first city in the region to pass local laws that make it easier to enforce the safe and considerate use of e-bikes, scooters and other similar ways of getting around town.

  • The changes allow police to issue citations, but also allow most first-time violators to avoid penalty if they agree to take a safety course put on by the Police Department.
  • Overall, bicyclists and e-bike riders are subject to all the same rules of the road as drivers.
  • Riders who don’t follow the rules are subject to ticketing and fines as defined by the California Vehicle Code or Carlsbad Municipal Code.

Learn about the changes to the Carlsbad Municipal Code.

Download and print a one-page overview.

E-bike chart with e-motorcycles

*E-motorcycles have different requirements than e-bikes. Riders need a license, vehicle registration and insurance, and must follow the same rules on the road as motorcycles. 

Flashing yellow arrow traffic light

Post Date:10/24/2024 3:19 PM

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.

How to use 

  • Solid red arrow – Stop. Drivers may not turn. 
  • Solid yellow arrow – Prepare to stop. The light is about to change to red. 
  • Flashing yellow arrow – Drivers must yield to all oncoming traffic and people in the crosswalk, then turn left when it’s clear to do so. 
  • Solid green arrow – Drivers can turn. 

Flashing yellow arrow signal graphic

Benefits 

  • Safety – Studies, including by the Federal Highway Administration, report that flashing yellow arrows reduced the overall number of left-turn collisions, when compared to a traditional solid green ball. The traffic light also provides a dedicated space and time for people crossing Avenida Encinas when there were no crosswalks there before. 
  • More flexibility, better traffic flow – Drivers have more flexibility at intersections. Unlike solid green arrows, which only allow turning when oncoming traffic is stopped, the flashing yellow arrow means you can turn left when it's safe, helping traffic flow better. 

This traffic light was installed as part of the new restaurant development in the north part of the lot. Flashing yellow turn arrows are used regularly throughout the United States and is included in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and Federal Highway Administration traffic signal operations manual. 

Return to full list >>