Dear EUSD families at ECC, LCH, ME, and OPE,
We would like to share important information about the new e-bike safety laws that will take effect in the City of Carlsbad beginning March 26, 2026. These updated regulations were recently adopted by the Carlsbad City Council and apply to all riders within city boundaries.
As many students ride e-bikes and bikes to school, we encourage all families to review the following changes carefully.
Minimum Age Requirement
Under Assembly Bill 2234, anyone operating an e-bike in Carlsbad must be at least 12 years old. This change comes as part of a San Diego County pilot program that allows cities to establish a minimum riding age.
Additional Safety Clarifications
The updated laws further clarify the following requirements:
- All riders under 18 years of age must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet.
- Only e-bikes specifically designed to carry passengers may transport more than one rider.
- Riders must travel at a safe speed for conditions, considering weather, pedestrians, and surrounding traffic.
- Parents/guardians may be held responsible if they knowingly allow their child to commit violations.
Consequences for Reckless Riding
Safety is the city’s top priority. If a minor violates the law in a way that creates an immediate or substantial public safety risk, their e-bike may be impounded.
To retrieve the impounded e-bike:
- The student must complete an in-person safety course.
- A parent or guardian must be present at the time of release.
- The Police Department may also impound e-motorcycles, which are not street legal.
E-Bike Restrictions in Parks
E-bikes are prohibited at Poinsettia Community Park and Pine Avenue Community Park.
Implementation Timeline
The new laws go into effect on March 26, 2026, beginning with a 60-day warning period. During this time, law enforcement will focus on education and awareness. The warning period ends on May 25, 2026 (Memorial Day). After that date, full enforcement will begin.
Our shared goal is to ensure students travel to and from school safely and responsibly, and we appreciate your cooperation with the new city laws. Additional resources provided by the City of Carlsbad can be found below.
Thank you for your continued support in keeping our students and school communities safe. If you have any questions, please reach out to your principal.
