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.
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-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.
Barrio traffic circle update
The Carlsbad City Council will receive an update on the Barrio traffic circle project and select a traffic calming option for Palm Avenue and Harding Street, and Magnolia Avenue and Madison Street, on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 5 p.m.
01/04/2024 6:08 PM
Coastal crosswalks under construction
Safety enhancements are underway on crosswalks along Carlsbad Boulevard, an area that is a hot spot for injury collisions.
01/04/2024 6:00 PM
Six strategies for safe holiday driving
Carlsbad may not get snow, but this week’s forecast calls for flurries of holiday traffic and swells of shoppers.
12/12/2023
Addressing DUIs
With holiday parties ramping up, it’s an important time to plan ahead, so everyone gets home safely.
12/08/2023 12:07 PM
Grant targets illegal alcohol use
The City of Carlsbad Police Department has been awarded a $40,520 grant from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to reduce alcohol-related harm in the community. The grant is one of nearly fifty awarded in California to local law enforcement agencies through ABC’s Alcohol P
11/29/2023 12:18 PM
Traffic safety tips and excellence award
This holiday season, please give yourself plenty of time to get where you need to go and remember to keep an eye out for more people on our roads, especially if it’s raining.
11/17/2023 11:34 AM
Bike valet at Carlsbad Village Faire
The City of Carlsbad is hosting bike valet services for the Carlsbad Village Faire on Sunday, Nov. 5.
10/27/2023 12:11 PM
Injury collisions down
City staff provided an update to the City Council Tuesday recapping was accomplished during the 12-month traffic safety emergency that ended Sept. 8 and a preview of what’s still to come.
10/25/2023
Road construction questions answered
Driving around Carlsbad, you’ve likely come across crews repaving and restriping several of our major east-west roadways.
10/13/2023
Safer streets - repaving, restriping
Road repaving and restriping continues this week on major east-west roadways in Carlsbad, as part of our overall efforts to encourage safer use of our streets.
10/09/2023 8:22 AM
Safer streets through restriping
Starting Sept. 13, and continuing through next week, sections of Tamarack Avenue between El Camino Real and Highland Drive will be temporarily reduced to one-way traffic.
09/12/2023 6:37 PM
Construction to start on Avenida Encinas
After Labor Day, the City of Carlsbad is starting construction along the southern part of Avenida Encinas. Work will begin at the Carlsbad Boulevard intersection and move north, ending at the Poinsettia coaster station.
09/01/2023
Construction on crosswalks along Carlsbad Blvd
After Labor Day, the City of Carlsbad will begin construction on pedestrian improvements along Carlsbad Boulevard at Cherry and Sycamore avenues. Following the completion of these two crosswalks, crews will move on to Maple, Oak, and Hemlock avenues.
09/01/2023
Slowing speeds to protect each other
The Police Department shared the latest data on traffic collisions in Carlsbad. We are still seeing good progress on reducing injury collisions overall, but the number one cause of those collisions remains unsafe speeds.
08/10/2023 7:29 PM
Upcoming bike safety classes
As Carlsbad students head back to school later this month, the Carlsbad Police Department is continuing its series of bike and e-bike safety classes to help kids safely share the road.
08/02/2023 2:11 PM
Next steps Carlsbad Blvd and Tamarack
On Tuesday, the City Council directed staff to move forward with the environmental review, permitting and design of a roundabout at the intersection of Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue with a caveat.
07/21/2023
Carlsbad Blvd and Tamarack intersection
The Carlsbad City Council will discuss the Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue improvements project on Tuesday, July 18, to move forward with the environmental review, permitting and final engineering design for a roundabout or traffic signal at the intersection.
07/13/2023 5:33 PM
Hundreds attend bike safety classes
On Monday, nearly 300 students and parents from schools in Carlsbad and other North County cities learned about bike safety from certified instructors with the Carlsbad Police Department.
07/11/2023 12:50 PM
New bike safety classes added
Carlsbad Police Officers, who are certified bike instructors, will cover the basics to help students stay safe on two wheels.
07/05/2023 3:21 PM
Give input: Tyler Street improvements
The City of Carlsbad is seeking community feedback on options to improve safety and connectivity on Tyler Street, between Oak Avenue and Chestnut Avenue.
06/07/2023 3:16 PM