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Carlsbad council adopts e‑bike rules with under‑12 ban and park restrictions
Summary
The City Council introduced an ordinance and adopted a companion resolution implementing Assembly Bill 2,234 provisions: a minimum age restriction (under‑12 prohibited on Class 1/2 e‑bikes), a phased education/enforcement rollout, narrowly tailored juvenile seizure authority, administrative cost recovery for impounds, and a ban on e‑bike operation in two community parks. The measures passed unanimously.
Carlsbad’s City Council voted unanimously Feb. 10 to introduce an ordinance amending Chapter 10.56 of the municipal code and to adopt a companion resolution that restricts e‑bike operation in Pine Avenue and Poinsettia Community Parks and establishes age and enforcement rules aligned with Assembly Bill 2,234.
The council’s action implements an AB 2,234 state pilot framework that staff said would prohibit riders under 12 from operating Class 1 or Class 2 e‑bikes and rely first on education and parental accountability. Police Lieutenant Jason Arnotti told the council staff recommends a 30‑day education and outreach campaign, followed by a 60‑day warning period and standard enforcement beginning May 25, 2026.
Supporters on the council framed the ordinance as a safety measure. “I see people dying in Carlsbad because of the intersection of bikes and cars, and pedestrians,” Councilmember Acosta said, urging the council to treat the ordinance as one piece of a larger traffic‑safety program. Councilmembers also asked for bilingual outreach and coordination with schools and PTAs to notify families.
Public commenters offered mixed views. Kevin Ferguson, who said he is guardian to a 12‑year‑old, said he largely supports safe regulations but urged the city to “move slowly and carefully” on joining broader pilot programs, warning of enforcement impacts on youth. Curt Watson and other speakers worried the park ban and age rules could unintentionally curb children’s ability to reach parks and suggested alternatives, such as requiring adult accompaniment for young riders.
Staff defended the balance of the ordinance: Arnotti described seizure authority as narrow and limited to juveniles who present an immediate public‑safety risk and emphasized that administrative cost recovery for state‑authorized impounds would be pursued only when applicable. He said the measures are intended to preserve recreational access while addressing documented unsafe riding behavior.
The council’s motion both introduced the ordinance and adopted the park‑restriction resolution in the same vote; the motion passed unanimously. Staff said if the ordinance is adopted on Feb. 25, Carlsbad will begin the 30‑day outreach period and then the phased warning and enforcement timeline laid out earlier.
Implementation details to watch include the city’s bilingual outreach plan, how the police department will operationalize limited seizure authority for juveniles, and whether the legislature will allow the city to join the Marin County pilot program staff referenced. The council emphasized the measures are intended to prioritize safety and education over punishment.
