News from the City of Carlsbad | Feb. 12, 2026 | | |
The city is moving closer to enacting stricter e-bike laws, which would include setting a minimum age of 12 to operate an e-bike and putting in place additional rules to curb unsafe riding behavior.
On Tuesday, the City Council adopted a resolution and introduced a related ordinance, which is the technical term for city law. Today I’ll explain what’s in the new law and what happens before it takes effect.
Also, I’ll share how you can give input on a new public art concept proposed for the I-5 Chestnut underpass and tell you about the Pulitzer Prize-winning book headlining this year’s Carlsbad Reads Together.
Here’s the full lineup:
- E-bike safety ordinance moving forward
- Share your input on Chestnut Underpass public art
- First trail volunteer event of the year
- Pulitzer Prize-winning book headlines Carlsbad Reads Together
- Apply to serve on a city commission
- Spring classes, camps and upcoming community activities
- Presidents Day holiday city service hours
- Upcoming city meetings
- Work planned Saturday at Carlsbad Village Drive & El Camino Real
- Valentine’s Day blood pressure screenings at Dove Library
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E-bike safety ordinance moving forward
At its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10, the Carlsbad City Council took the next step toward enacting stricter e-bike laws by adopting a resolution and introducing a new ordinance, which is the technical term for a city law.
The new rules, combined with existing state law, will allow the city to:
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Set a minimum age of 12 to operate an e-bike, as allowed by Assembly Bill 2234
- Clarify definitions of unsafe riding behavior, equipment requirements and the responsibilities of parents and guardians
- Impound e-bikes that are being ridden recklessly by minors or e-motorcycles, which are not street legal
- Prohibit e-bikes at Poinsettia and Pine Avenue community parks, based on service calls received by the Police Department and community feedback, and authorize the City Manager to restrict e-bike use at other parks as needed
Next steps
Before the new rules go into effect, the City Council is required to first introduce the ordinance, which it did during Tuesday’s meeting, then officially adopt the ordinance at a future meeting. The City Council is scheduled to consider adopting the ordinance during its meeting on Feb. 24.
Carlsbad City Council meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 5 p.m.
City Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
If the ordinance is adopted, the city would first launch a campaign focused on awareness and education before issuing citations. Here’s how that process could look:
- Feb. 25: 30-day public information campaign would begin to raise awareness
- March 26: New laws could take effect, beginning with a 60-day warning period
- May 25: 60-day warning period ends
We will continue to share updates throughout this process. Sign up to receive emails with the latest information.
Background
Last year, the Carlsbad City Council requested the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission to gather community input on establishing a minimum age for riding e-bikes, as allowed by AB 2234. Additionally, the City Council asked staff to develop strategies to address aggressive e-bike riding behavior and maintain public safety.
After reviewing community input gathered in fall 2025 and recommendations from staff and the city’s Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission, the City Council voted on Dec. 2 to move forward with the new e-bike safety rules, asking staff to develop an ordinance for consideration.
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Share your input on Chestnut Underpass public art
We’re inviting the community to weigh in on a new proposed public art design for the I-5 Chestnut Avenue Underpass, which you can see below. An online survey is now open through Friday, Feb. 27, and we’d love to hear your feedback.
Earlier this month, the artist team shared the proposed design with the Arts Commission. The team walked through the concept and discussed how it responds to community input, site conditions and technical requirements for the underpass. You can:
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About the design
The proposed artwork draws inspiration from Carlsbad’s natural landscape and the history and community of the Barrio. Using plant and floral forms, the design reflects how the area has been shaped by movement, migration and change over time.
The concept highlights different layers of the landscape:
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West side of the underpass: Mirrored designs on the north and south sides feature native and cultivated flowers, including yellow cholla and red freesia.
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East side of the underpass: Mirrored designs on the north and south sides feature prehistoric plants, including pines, aspens and oaks.
What’s next
After the survey closes, staff and the artist team will review feedback and refine the design in March. The Arts Commission is expected to review a final concept on April 2, with City Council consideration planned for a future meeting.
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First trail volunteer event of the year
Our first trail volunteer event of the year is on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Hosp Grove West Trail.
This trail offers a quieter side of Carlsbad’s trail network, with eucalyptus groves, open meadows and gently rolling terrain. Volunteering lets you enjoy the landscape and make new connections while helping prepare the trail for increased spring use.
Trail Volunteer Event – Hosp Grove West Trail
Saturday, Feb. 21
8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Park at Hosp Grove Park
2254-2230 Jefferson St.
Know before you go
- All tools, gloves and instructions are provided.
- No prior experience is required, and volunteers of all skill levels are welcome.
- The work includes restoring trail surfaces, improving accessibility along trail benches, realigning sections of trail and enhancing the park’s overall appearance.
Learn more about upcoming trail volunteer events.
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Pulitzer Prize-winning book headlines Carlsbad Reads Together
This year’s selection for Carlsbad Reads Together is “Stay True,” Hua Hsu’s Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir on friendship, self-expression, belonging and loss.
Carlsbad Reads Together is an annual citywide reading program that connects the community through shared stories and conversations. Special programs and events begin in April, but members of the community are encouraged to start reading now.
Our community’s love of reading was also on full display in January. Our month-long Winter Reading Challenge drew more than 1,200 participants who logged a total of 417,242 minutes of reading — far exceeding the community goal of 250,000 minutes and surpassing last year’s total of 313,787 minutes.
Learn more about Carlsbad City Library programs.
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Apply to serve on a city commission
If you are interested in getting involved and making a difference in our community, the city currently has vacancies on two of its city commissions.
You can apply online or pick up an application in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive. Applicants must be Carlsbad residents who are registered to vote in the city.
Arts Commission
Two vacancies
Meetings: First Thursday of every other month, 5:30 p.m.
Deadline to apply: March 2 at noon
Senior Commission
One vacancy
Meetings: Fourth Thursday of even-numbered months, 3 p.m.
Deadline to apply: March 6 at noon
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Spring classes, camps and upcoming community activities
If you’re looking for a way to stay active, have fun and/or learn something new, registration is now open for our spring classes and camps. You can find the full schedule in our Spring Community Services Guide.
Meanwhile, here are some community events and activities happening soon at our city libraries, community centers and the Carlsbad Senior Center:
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Community Friendship Builders – Friday, Feb. 13 and 27, 11 a.m. to noon, Carlsbad Senior Center
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Cinema Club Friday: "Crooklyn" – Friday, Feb. 13, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library
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Saturdays in the Courtyard: RB Anthony & the Pacific Sound Brass – Saturday, Feb. 14, 5 p.m., Dove Library
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Reel Wednesday: "Playing Through" – Wednesday, Feb. 18, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library
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Presidents Day holiday service hours
City offices, libraries and community centers will be closed on Monday, Feb. 16, in observance of the Presidents Day holiday. A full holiday schedule for city services is listed below:
Trash pickup: No delay
City offices: Closed
Emergency services: Regular service
City libraries: Closed
Cannon Art Gallery: Closed
City sculpture garden: Closed
Alga Norte Aquatic Center: Closed
Community centers: Closed
Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park: Closed
Senior Center: Closed
No street sweeping on city holidays
Transit: For the holiday transit schedule, please visit gonctd.com or call 5-1-1.
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Work planned Saturday at Carlsbad Village Drive &
El Camino Real intersection
This Saturday, Feb. 14, crews will be finishing up work at Carlsbad Village Drive and El Camino Real following the recent water main break in the area, to avoid impacts to weekday commuters.
- Traffic delays are possible, so plan for extra time or consider a different route if possible.
- Left turns will be restricted from southbound El Camino Real onto eastbound Carlsbad Village Drive.
- Construction is planned from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We will get the work done as quickly as possible to reduce traffic impacts.
Thank you for your patience while we wrap up these repairs.
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Valentine’s Day blood pressure screenings at Dove Library
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I hope you’ll take a minute to take care of your heart by participating in the Carlsbad Fire Department’s free blood pressure screenings on Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane. The screenings are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the library and are open to people of all ages.
It looks like we could be in for some rain next week, so if you’re out and about, please slow down and look out for one another on the roads. Stay safe and thanks, as always, for reading.
Geoff Patnoe
City Manager
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