Carlsbad, CA
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National traffic safety trends show a dramatic increase in traffic-related deaths, with the first quarter of 2022 showing the highest number of deaths in two decades.
The City of Carlsbad's traffic safety emergency proclamation allowed us to focus increased resources and attention on the three Es of traffic safety, education, engineering and enforcement, using the framework of the Safer Streets Together Plan.
The City of Carlsbad declared a local state of emergency on Aug. 23, 2023 in response to a 233% increase in collisions involving bikes and e-bikes between 2019 and August 2022. The action immediately increased attention and resources on a range of solutions including infrastructure improvements, traffic safety measures, enhanced enforcement and a focus on safe driving behavior education.
While the local emergency proclamation expired at 5 p.m. on Sept. 8, traffic safety remains a top priority in Carlsbad with a focus on the three Es of traffic safety – education, engineering and enforcement – using the framework of the Safer Streets Together Plan.
The City of Carlsbad was the first city in the region to pass local laws that make it easier to enforce the safe and considerate use of e-bikes, scooters and other similar ways of getting around town.
- The changes allow police to issue citations, but also allow most first-time violators to avoid penalty if they agree to take a safety course put on by the Police Department.
- Overall, bicyclists and e-bike riders are subject to all the same rules of the road as motorists.
- Riders who don’t follow the rules are subject to ticketing and fines as defined by the California Vehicle Code or Carlsbad Municipal Code.
Learn about the changes to the Carlsbad Municipal Code.
Download and print a one-page overview.
The City of Carlsbad declared a local state of emergency in 2022, citing a 233% increase in collisions involving bikes and e-bikes since 2019. This action increased attention and resources on a range of solutions including infrastructure improvements, traffic safety measures, enhanced enforcement and a focus on safe driving behavior education.
The city redeployed resources from its police, fire, transportation and communications & engagement departments to develop a comprehensive Safer Streets Together Plan that was presented to City Council on Sept. 27, 2022.
The emergency ended on Sept. 8, 2023, but the city's focus on traffic safety continues.
Oct. 24, 2023 | City Council
- Received a report on the city's actions related to the local traffic safety emergency using a year's worth of data.
July 11, 2023 | City Council
- Received a report on the city's actions to date related to the local traffic safety emergency.
- Extended the local traffic safety emergency proclamation for an additional 60 days.
May 16, 2023 | City Council
- Received a report on the city's actions to date related to the local traffic safety emergency.
- Extended the local traffic safety emergency proclamation for an additional 60 days.
March 21, 2023 | City Council
- Received a report on the city's actions to date related to the local traffic safety emergency.
- Adopted a resolution endorsing the Vision Zero goal to achieve zero traffic-related deaths or serious injuries.
- Extended the local traffic safety emergency proclamation for an additional 60 days.
Jan. 24, 2023 | City Council
- Received a report on the city’s action to date related to the local traffic safety emergency.
- Received a report on options to fund additional traffic safety efforts recommended by the Traffic & Mobility and Planning commissions.
- Approved project plans and specifications for green paint bike lane enhancements.
- Extended the local traffic safety emergency proclamation for an additional 60 days.
Dec. 6, 2022 | City Council
- Received a report on the city’s action to date related to the local traffic safety emergency.
- Received feedback provided by the Planning and Traffic & Mobility Commissions on the Safer Streets Together Plan options.
- Extended the local traffic safety emergency proclamation for an additional 60 days.
Nov. 15, 2022 | City Council
- Approved the city’s first Local Roadway Safety Plan, a comprehensive assessment of citywide collision data that identifies, analyzes and prioritizes roadway safety improvements to reduce fatalities and serious injuries.
- Accepted a $113,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to increase enforcement during fiscal year 2022-23.
- Approved plans and authorized staff to advertise for bids for a project that will build sidewalks at three locations in the city.
- Adopted an ordinance to reduce the speed limit on portions of Cadencia Street and Gateway Road following successful traffic safety projects on those streets.
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Approved a contract for Carlsbad Boulevard pedestrian improvements that will upgrade six crosswalks along the beach with curb extensions and in-pavement lighting and improved bicycle striping, including green paint in car-bike conflict areas.
Oct. 27, 2022 | Traffic & Mobility Commission and Planning Commission
Received a presentation on the Safer Streets Together Plan and provided feedback on options.
Traffic & Mobility Commission meeting recording
Planning Commission meeting recording
Oct. 18, 2022 | City Council
Extended the local traffic safety emergency proclamation for an additional 60 days.
Video recording
Oct. 3, 2022 | Traffic & Mobility Commission
Update on complete streets in Carlsbad and actions taken since the Aug. 23, 2022 proclamation of emergency.
Video recording
Sept. 27, 2022 | City Council
- Presented an update on the city's response to the local emergency and a list of additional actions for the City Council's consideration.
- Approved a project to restripe southbound Carlsbad Boulevard from Manzano Drive to Island Way, addressing speeding and creating more space for walkers and cyclists.
- Approved bike lane improvements along La Costa Avenue, Jefferson Street and Paseo Del Norte.
- Approved bike lane improvements at five locations along south Carlsbad Boulevard.
Safer Streets Together Plan
Video recording
Sept. 6, 2022 | Traffic & Mobility Commission
An update on the proclamation of local emergency.
Video recording
Aug. 30, 2022 | City Council
City Council ratified local emergency proclamation.
Video recording
Aug. 23, 2022
Proclamation of local emergency
Council ratifies local traffic safety emergency
The Carlsbad City Council voted to allocate $2 million in funding for immediate traffic safety efforts and ratified last week’s proclamation of local emergency, following an over 200% increase in collisions involving bikes and e-bikes since 2019.
In his remarks to the City Council, City Manager Scott Chadwick said e-bikes themselves are not the problem and actually fit in well with the city’s goals of reducing traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. The city’s focus is making sure everyone knows the rules of the road, continuing to implement dozens of projects to make Carlsbad’s streets inviting for all modes of transportation and increasing traffic safety enforcement.
Chadwick also said traffic safety concerns are not unique to Carlsbad. Two weeks ago, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration put out its estimates for the first quarter of 2022, which showed the highest number of fatalities from motor vehicle crashes in 20 years.
“It’s going to take all of us working together to reverse this trend,” said Chadwick.
Police Chief Mickey Williams said he has redeployed additional officers to traffic enforcement, especially around schools that started classes this month. In the week since the emergency proclamation, the Police Department has issued about four times as many warnings and citations as a typical week. One third were written warnings and the rest were citations. The breakdown by type of travel were:
- 57% cars
- 35% e-bikes
- 8% pedal bikes
- 1 pedestrian
In the past week city crews placed 11 electronic message boards at locations with higher collision rates and repositioned signs that show drivers how fast they are driving along streets with complaints about speeding. Today additional green bike lanes were added in 11 locations, with more planned, including parts of Carlsbad Boulevard and in the Village, both heavily used by cyclists.
On Sept. 27, city staff will present the City Council with a comprehensive list of options to address the emergency. In the meantime, on Tuesday the City Council approved $2 million that can be spent immediately on:
- Increasing traffic enforcement by the Police Department
- Buying more message boards and speed feedback signs
- A new traffic safety training program offered by the city
- A safe driving and riding education program
- Projects to change the striping on roads to allow more space for bikes and increasing the visibility of bike lanes and crosswalks
In March, Carlsbad became the first city in the region to pass traffic safety laws specific to e-bikes to supplement its community education and enforcement efforts. Carlsbad’s e-bike rules include a diversion program for young riders, who may complete a training course to avoid a citation on their first offense.
In January 2021, the City Council passed a comprehensive plan to make Carlsbad streets more inviting to walkers and bikers. The city has already completed dozens of projects, such as expanding bike lanes, installing speed bumps in neighborhoods and widening sidewalks. In June, the City Council voted to accelerate several projects within the plan as part of the fiscal year 2022-23 budget.
Cities can proclaim a local emergency when there is an imminent threat to public safety. The combination of increasing collisions involving bikes and e-bikes and thousands of kids returning to school compelled the City Manager to make the proclamation Aug. 23. Proclamations must be ratified by the City Council within seven days.
Proclaiming a local emergency gives cities more options to address a threat to public safety, including:
- Activate the Emergency Operations Center, which enables a centralized emergency response
- Immediately redeploy resources
- Streamline procurement and other processes
- Increase focus and collaboration among residents, businesses, other agencies and the business community
The City Council must review the city’s emergency status no less frequently than every 60 days until it decides to end it. Staff will propose a package of additional traffic safety actions to the City Council for consideration on Sept. 27.