Carlsbad, CA
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Safer Streets Together
We need your help!
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 Safer Streets Together Plan uses the three Es of traffic safety -- education, engineering and enforcement -- to help ensure everyone uses local streets safely. Learn how you can help.
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
Cambios propuestos para Tyler Street
Cambios propuestos para Tyler Street. Queremos saber su opinión. La ciudad de Carlsbad busca aportes de la comunidad sobre opciones para mejorar la seguridad y la conectividad en Tyler Street, desde Oak Avenue hasta Chestnut Avenue.
05/05/2023 12:00 PM
Give input: Tyler Street improvements
The City of Carlsbad is seeking community feedback on options to improve safety and connectivity on Tyler Street, between Oak Avenue and Chestnut Avenue.
05/04/2023 5:53 PM
Bike to School Day in Carlsbad
As families across the country rode their bikes to school this morning to celebrate National Bike to School Day, the City of Carlsbad, Jefferson Elementary School and the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition teamed up to encourage safety locally.
05/02/2023
Carlsbad Blvd and Tamarack intersection
The Traffic & Mobility Commission voted April 3 to put this project on its May agenda with the goal of providing a recommendation to the City Council. When the commission first reviewed the options Feb. 6, their discussion did not result in a City Council recommendation.
04/27/2023 5:12 PM
Traffic & Mobility Commission – May 1
On Monday, the Traffic & Mobility Commission will meet to discuss a traffic safety project and its work plan for next fiscal year.
04/27/2023 5:03 PM
SR-78 closure and traffic update
Caltrans crews continue to work 24/7 on emergency repairs to State Route 78, repairing underground culverts caused by this winter’s heavy rains. Thankfully, the weather has been cooperating the last couple of weeks, allowing for substantial progress.
04/20/2023 4:14 PM
February collision summary
At a recent Traffic & Mobility Commission meeting, the Carlsbad Police Department shared preliminary traffic safety data from February. The report is just a snapshot of one month, but it highlights why it’s so important to drive safely, slow down and remove distractions.
04/14/2023 11:10 AM
Traffic emergency extended
On Tuesday, March 21, the Carlsbad City Council received an update on the city’s response to the local traffic safety emergency, including the latest data on injury collisions. By law, cities that declare a local emergency must revisit the situation at least every 60 days.
03/24/2023 5:20 PM
Avenida Encinas improvements approved
On Tuesday, the City Council approved plans for Avenida Encinas, between the Poinsettia Regional Transit Station to Carlsbad Boulevard, that will safely accommodate all modes of travel and improve access and connectivity as part of the Coastal Rail Trail, a 44-mile regional bikeway that is planned
03/15/2023 1:52 PM
Hands-on bike safety classes
The City of Carlsbad, in partnership with the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, is hosting a series of traffic safety workshops and trainings. The next ones are focused on safe bike and e-biking riding.
03/15/2023 1:43 PM
School traffic safety partnerships
As part of the City of Carlsbad’s ongoing traffic safety efforts, the city is partnering with local schools to raise awareness of the rules of the road. Through these partnerships, students of all ages are learning how to stay safe on the road.
03/07/2023 4:41 PM
South Carlsbad Boulevard improvements
As part of the City of Carlsbad’s ongoing work to balance the needs of all roadway users, you may notice some changes to the lanes on southbound Carlsbad Boulevard from Manzano Drive to Island Way starting today.
03/07/2023 3:43 PM
Traffic projects to be discussed
On Monday, city staff will discuss several traffic safety related projects with the Traffic & Mobility Commission.
03/03/2023 3:34 PM
3 ways to drive safely in a storm
As we brace for this weekend’s winter storm, the City of Carlsbad is sharing advice from the National Weather Service to avoid travel unless it’s absolutely necessary.
02/24/2023 12:41 PM
Free traffic safety classes
The City of Carlsbad, in partnership with the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and Circulate San Diego, is hosting a series of free traffic safety workshops and trainings. The first one is Thursday, Feb. 9, 6 – 7 p.m. on Zoom.
02/09/2023 10:14 AM
Traffic projects to be discussed
On Monday, city staff will discuss several important traffic safety projects with the Traffic & Mobility Commission.
02/03/2023 1:10 PM
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 respon
01/25/2023
3 reasons to slow down on our roads
Getting people to slow down on our roads is one of the main goals of our three-pronged approach to traffic safety, the “three Es:”
01/23/2023
Safer Streets statewide
Increased traffic collisions over the past few years have been a nationwide and statewide trend. To help address this problem, several new state traffic safety laws went into effect with the new year.
01/09/2023 3:46 PM
Carlsbad Blvd and Tamarack improvements
The City of Carlsbad is asking the public to review two options for reconfiguring the busy intersection of Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue and provide feedback to the Traffic & Mobility Commission by Feb. 6.
01/05/2023 8:30 AM