Carlsbad, CA
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Safer Streets Together
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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
Carlsbad City Council advances traffic safety efforts
The Carlsbad City Council voted to continue over a dozen new initiatives to address traffic safety and seek input from the community and city commissions on potential additional actions presented by city staff Tuesday.
Following a dramatic increase in collisions involving bikes and e-bikes, the City Council ratified a local emergency on traffic safety Aug. 30 and approved spending up to $2 million for immediate education, engineering and enforcement measures.
City staff committed to return Sept. 27 with a comprehensive set of options for the City Council’s consideration.
Among the actions included in the City Council’s motion Tuesday was asking city staff to return with a resolution for the City Council’s consideration supporting Vision Zero, a national program promoting a comprehensive approach to eliminating serious traffic related injuries and deaths.
The City of Carlsbad is already following many of the policies recommended in the Vision Zero strategy. If the City Council were to approve a resolution supporting Vision Zero, it could also direct city staff to develop a plan specific to the Vision Zero framework.
Other actions following Tuesday’s meeting include:
- Expand public education to include partnerships with schools, businesses, mobility organizations and community groups.
- Upgrade traffic signals at intersections with high pedestrian traffic.
- Work with local school districts to explore developing a permit program requiring students to take a bike safety class to park their bicycles on campus.
- Work with the city’s lobbyists to build upon recent state legislation addressing e-bike safety.
- Accelerate plans to repave and restripe city streets to create more space for walkers and bicyclists while slowing down vehicle traffic.
- Conduct a citywide review of speed limits.
Completed to date
With the added resources, focus and flexibility made possible by the emergency declaration, the city quickly mobilized to complete or begin several immediate actions over the past 35 days:
- Reached more than 500,000 people on social media with safety messages
- Installed 22 traffic safety banners at various locations, including in school zones
- Added green paint to bike lanes in 18 new locations
- Installed 17 speed feedback signs
- Displayed 12 digital boards with safety messages
- Issued 557 citations and 253 warnings to motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians
- Added two new e-bikes to increase bike patrol
The state of emergency proclaimed by the City Manager Aug. 23 and ratified by the City Council Aug. 30 must be reviewed by the City Council at least every 60 days.
An ongoing commitment to traffic safety
Prior to the emergency declaration, the Carlsbad City Council had already put policies in place to reflect a nationwide shift in planning roads from a focus on cars to one that considers all modes of travel.
- In January 2021, the City Council adopted a Sustainable Mobility Plan, a comprehensive approach to make Carlsbad streets more inviting to walkers and bikers. In June 2022, the City Council voted to accelerate several projects within the plan as part of the fiscal year 2022-23 budget. Earlier this month, the City Council approved a contract with a firm to create an implementation plan and other studies to help pay for and advance the improvements in the plan.
- In March 2022, the City Council made Carlsbad the first city in the region to pass traffic safety laws specific to e-bikes. Carlsbad’s e-bike rules include a diversion program for riders, who may complete a training course to avoid a citation on their first offense.
- In 2021, the city developed an initial e-bike education program, including workshops, sharing information with schools and on social media, and a series of public service announcement videos.
- In 2021, the Police Department increased enforcement through education, targeting specific areas of concern.
Despite these efforts, collisions involving bikes and e-bikes have still increased significantly since 2019. Knowing students throughout Carlsbad were headed back to school in August, the city determined there was an urgent need for additional traffic safety actions, leading to the emergency proclamation.
More information
www.carlsbadca.gov/saferstreets
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