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
Pledge campaign launched
At a news conference Wednesday morning, middle school students joined city and school officials, bike and walking groups and local businesses in asking the public to take a stand on traffic safety. The City of Carlsbad is launching the new Safer Streets Together pledge campaign as part of its response to a traffic safety state of emergency that was declared following a more than 200% increase in bike and e-bike collisions since 2019.
Since declaring a local emergency, the City of Carlsbad increased enforcement, added new lanes to over 90 miles of roadway, held training classes and educated community members about traffic safety rules. The pledge campaign is designed to encourage safe behavior on the road, such as slowing down, sharing the road and riding a bike in the same direction as traffic.
“Public safety is a team sport, and we each need to do our part,” said City of Carlsbad Police Chief Mickey Williams.
In rolling out the pledge, the City of Carlsbad also announced new partnerships with local businesses, schools, the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and Circulate San Diego, who will in the coming months will participate in events, training workshops and other activities to help raise awareness of traffic safety.
To take the pledge, visit carlsbadca.gov/saferstreets. The city is also encouraging residents to share their commitment by displaying yard signs and car window clings that are available for pickup at city libraries.
On Tuesday, the City Council voted to extend the emergency an additional 60 days. The emergency was first proclaimed Aug. 23, 2022. City staff also provided the City Council with an update on actions taken to date. The City Council approved $2 million in emergency funding last August, money left over from the previous year’s budget, to pay for police overtime, street projects and a public outreach campaign.
Progress to date
Some of the actions completed so far include:
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Upgraded crosswalk signals to provide pedestrians with a “head start” when crossing the road at 22 locations around schools and 10 locations around the Village, which has a higher than average number of collisions.
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Added green markings to bike lanes at 18 locations in the city, with 37 more approved at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
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Added or improved lane markings at 22 locations around schools.
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Prepared a customized e-bike safety class taught by the Police Department that first time offenders can take instead of paying a fine for a citation.
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Issued nearly 4,000 citations, including written warnings.
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Redesigned the lane striping on 90 miles of streets throughout Carlsbad to slow traffic and provide more space for bicyclists.
The City of Carlsbad was the first in the region to pass laws specific to e-bikes, which have grown in popularity in recent years. The city is now advocating at the state level for new regulations for e-bikes, which has been a primary concern among residents.
“E-bikes are a great way to get around, they’re good for the environment, and they take cars off the road,” said Transportation Director Tom Frank. “This is a case where the laws haven’t kept pace with technology. In the meantime, we are doing everything we can to create the safest environment possible, but even the most well-designed street will be unsafe if the users are unsafe.”
Those who take the city’s Safer Streets Together pledge will be sent regular tips and updates to share with friends and neighbors, as well as information about city sponsored workshops and seminars on traffic safety for all ages.
Results so far
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When the city declared an emergency in August 2022, Carlsbad was on track to see one of the highest number of injury collisions since 2017
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Injury collisions typically increase from summer to fall. An analysis of the preliminary data for 2022 shows that rather than injury collisions following the trend of increasing 20% between summer and fall, injury collisions fell by about 20% during this timeframe.
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Preliminary data also show the number of injury collisions in Carlsbad from October to December 2022 is the lowest in five years.