Carlsbad joins cities banning e-bikes for riders under age 12

New e-bike regulations to prohibit riders younger than 12, ban e-bikes at two community parks, and allow the temporary confiscation of reckless riders’ machines were introduced last week in Carlsbad.

“Our goals is not to punish folks … not to limit mobility,” said Carlsbad City Councilmember Priya Baht-Patel. “It’s really to figure out how we can make sure we are keeping kids safe.”

Motor vehicle drivers also need to be careful around the increasing number of e-bikes, regular bicycles, scooters and other alternative modes of transportation on the roads, she said.

“I’ve seen a lot of near misses,” Baht-Patel said.

The Carlsbad City Council unanimously approved the updated mobility ordinance, which will be brought back to the council Feb. 24 for adoption. After a 30-day public information campaign, the ordinance will take effect March 24, followed by a 60-day warning period, then full enforcement after May 25.

More regulations are working their way through the state Legislature to keep up with the rapidly advancing technology that drives increasing e-bike sales, said Councilmember Teresa Acosta.

“It’s not just Carlsbad … it’s statewide,” Acosta said. “We haven’t quite fixed all the pieces yet because it’s a moving and fluid situation.”

E-bikes will be prohibited at Pine and Poinsettia community parks, where the city has had the most complaints about unsafe behaviors. Regulatory signs and additional bike racks will be installed...