The council did not approve one item on the list of recommendations, which would have prohibited those under the age of 16 from riding e-bikes after dark.
CARLSBAD, Calif. — Carlsbad is getting closer to setting new rules for young e-bike riders, as the City Council unanimously voted to approve recommendations Tuesday to set an age limit.
Earlier this year, a state law took effect, allowing cities in San Diego County to set a minimum age for certain e-bikes.
The rule applies only to class one and class two e-bikes, which top out at about 20 miles per hour.
Coronado was the first local city to enact e-bike restrictions, and now Carlsbad has approved its traffic and safety mobility commission’s recommendation that kids 12 and younger not be allowed to ride e-bikes.
“…Increasing safety for those riders [who] are really least capable of handling e-bikes, which tend to be heavier, and are least familiar with road safety rules,” Jason Haber, the Intergovernmental Affairs Director for the City of Carlsbad, said.
An item on the list of recommendations includes prohibiting the operation of e-bikes at Poinsettia and Pine Avenue Community Parks.
However, the council did not approve one item on the list of recommendations, which would have prohibited those under the age of 16 from riding e-bikes after dark.
The next steps will be for city staff and leaders to work to tailor the language and vote on an ordinance to set the age restrictions. City leaders estimate a vote will be held in a month or two.
