During a special meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16, the City of Carlsbad’s Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission voted to recommend the City Council adopt a minimum age of 12 for riding e-bikes and consider additional actions.
Recent state legislation, Assembly Bill 2234, allows cities in San Diego County, as well as the county itself, to establish a minimum age of 12 for riding e-bikes as part of a pilot program. After the state legislation was passed, the Carlsbad City Council requested that the commission hold this meeting to gather community input on the potential minimum age.
The city received more than 550 emailed comments leading up to the commission meeting.
Most comments expressed support for a minimum age of at least 12 years old
Many requested the city consider additional rules and restrictions beyond what AB 2234 includes
Some were opposed to the minimum age, requesting the city focus on education instead
While AB 2234 opens the door for consideration of a minimum age, state law still restricts the city’s ability to adopt broader rules, including requiring e-bike riders to obtain licenses.
In addition to recommending the City Council adopt an ordinance prohibiting children under age 12 from riding e-bikes, the commission also voted to recommend the City Council lobby for state legislation that would give cities more flexibility to adopt stricter rules, including:
Licensing, registration and insurance requirements for e-bikes
Expanding the age restriction above 12
The commission also requested that staff research the feasibility of two additional options, which would be presented to the City Council for consideration:
Prohibiting riders under age 16 from riding with passengers
Including Carlsbad in Assembly Bill 1778, which established a different e-bike pilot program in Marin County. The law allows local agencies in Marin County to prohibit anyone under age 16 from riding Class 2 e-bikes and require helmet use for anyone, regardless of age, riding a Class 2 e-bike.
Ongoing efforts
In 2022, Carlsbad became the first city in the region to pass local e-bike safety laws to curtail reckless riding as a key part of the city’s broader traffic safety strategy. The Carlsbad Police Department will continue enforcing these laws and educating riders about the rules of the road.
In Carlsbad, bike and e-bike riders are required to:
Ride with due care and reduce speed when needed, including when pedestrians are present
Obey all traffic signs and signals
Wear a helmet if under age 18, or while riding a Class 3 e-bike regardless of age
Refrain from riding on sidewalks
As part of an enforcement strategy conducted from May to September this year, Carlsbad Police Officers initiated nearly 180 stops to issue verbal or written warnings, and in some cases citations, to e-bike riders. First time offenders have the option to take a safety course instead of paying the fine, and the majority of people who take the course are not cited again as repeat offenders.
Education is a key part of the Police Department’s approach.
School districts operating in Carlsbad have worked with the city to develop bike safety or permit programs for middle and high school students.
The Carlsbad Police Department is the only law enforcement agency in San Diego County with officers who have been certified as bike instructors by the League of American Bicyclists.
Since 2022, the Police Department has hosted 24 bike safety courses with more than 1,500 participants.
Next steps
The City Council will review the community input gathered before and during this week’s Traffic Safety & Mobility meeting and discuss whether to adopt the commission’s recommendations.
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More information
View these resources for more information about the city’s current enforcement and education efforts, collision data and details about AB 2234.
