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News from the City of Carlsbad | Sept. 11, 2025

From big projects to everyday improvements, this last year has been a busy one in Carlsbad. You can catch the highlights and see what’s ahead in our 2025 State of the City video, featuring updates on key projects and initiatives that support the City Council’s 5-Year Strategic Plan – from city parks and public safety to environmental sustainability and more. 

Spoiler alert: some of our youngest community members share their thoughts about our city – and it’s as entertaining as it is heartwarming. 

Also today, I’ll share answers to some common questions ahead of Tuesday’s special meeting about a potential e-bike rider minimum age. 

 

Here’s the full lineup: 

• Questions answered: Potential e-bike rider minimum age  
• Give input on early concepts for Chestnut underpass public art 
• Next steps for reducing speeding in the Barrio 
• Wildfire camera up and running in Carlsbad 
• Share feedback on Carlsbad’s clean energy future 
• City construction map helps you plan ahead 
• Community events and activities 
• Upcoming city meetings 
• Remembering 9/11  

Questions answered: Potential e-bike rider minimum age

If you're a frequent reader of these updates, you’ve probably seen information about a special meeting the city’s Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission is holding next week to gather community input on a potential minimum age for e-bikes. We’ve received more than 450 emails so far, and today I want to provide answers to a few common questions we’re receiving.   

Why is 12 being considered as the minimum age?   

• The Carlsbad City Council requested that the commission hold this meeting following the passage of Assembly Bill 2234, which allows cities in San Diego County, as well as the county itself, to establish a minimum age of 12 for riding e-bikes.   
• Before AB 2234 was passed, state law limited the city’s ability to adopt minimum age requirements.   
• Because the age of 12 is identified in the legislation, the city does not have authority to adopt an ordinance with a different minimum age.  

Technically, this new law applies only to Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes. State law already establishes a minimum age of 16 for riding Class 3 e-bikes, which can reach higher maximum speeds. Learn more about different types of e-bikes.  

The full text of the bill is available online if you want to dig into the details more.  

Could the city also require e-bike riders to get licenses?   

State law still prevents cities from adopting licensing requirements. However, school districts operating in Carlsbad have worked with the city to develop bike safety or permit programs for students. The Carlsbad Police Department also offers bike and e-bike safety training for local students, and so far, more than 1,500 students have participated.  

How are current laws being enforced?  

Carlsbad was the first city in the region to pass local laws to curtail reckless riding and address other unsafe use of e-bikes. The Carlsbad Police Department actively enforces these laws. In the last three years, the Police Department has issued more than 180 e-bike citations and 230 warnings for violations that include:   

• Running red lights   
• Failing to stop at stop signs   
• Riding on sidewalks   
• Engaging in hazardous riding behaviors 

Education is a key part of Carlsbad’s approach. The city’s local laws allow riders who are receiving a citation for the first time to take a safety course instead of paying the fine.  

How can I share my thoughts?  

If you want to provide input, there are two ways to share your feedback:   

• Email traffic@carlsbadca.gov by 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16  
• Attend the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission meeting and provide a comment in person  

Special Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission meeting  

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 5 p.m.  

City Council Chamber  

1200 Carlsbad Village Drive  



The agenda and staff report will be available on the city’s website by Friday, Sept. 12. All feedback will be shared with the City Council.  

More details, including answers to more common questions, are available on the city’s website.  

Give input on early concepts for Chestnut underpass public art

Greenmeme, the artist team for the Chestnut I-5 underpass public art project, is seeking community input on two initial concepts for the artwork. The public art will be located along the walls of the underpass. 

The artist team developed the concepts based on community feedback gathered earlier this year. Themes that emerged include: 

• Celebrate nature and the ocean 
• Honor Barrio history and culture 
• Foster community connection and inclusivity 
• Reflect movement and the important access link the underpass serves for people walking, biking and driving 
• Inspire community pride and hope 

Based on these themes, Greenmeme developed two potential concepts that feature a color story meant to represent the landscape of Carlsbad, from the flower fields to the Barrio, beach and ocean. 

Concept 1: Community Silhouettes 

• Features silhouettes of specific people or elements mentioned in community feedback – from skateboards, pets and nature, to people at the beach, children playing sports and local workers.  
• The silhouettes would be created by applying a “mask” over the concrete and painting around it to reveal the forms.

Concept 2: Community Hats 

• Draws on the theme of community connection identified through feedback received and the many “hats” people wear daily in the community. 
• Represents both symbolic hats of community roles and the historical hats of Barrio residents and immigrants who originally settled in the area.  
• The hats would be made from thin metal cutouts layered together and slightly offset to create a ribbon effect.  

I want to note the specific elements shown in these initial concepts are only placeholders for now, including specific silhouettes or types of hats featured. These elements would be updated during the next project phase.  

If you’re interested in learning more about the concepts, you can watch a recording of Greenmeme’s presentation to the Arts Commission on Sept. 4. 

How to provide input 

You can view more details about both concepts and provide feedback by completing an online form by Thursday, Oct. 2.  

Based on input, Greenmeme will refine the preferred option and present an update to the Arts Commission at its meeting on Nov. 4, 2025. 

Sign up to receive email updates. 

Next steps for reducing speeding in the Barrio

During its meeting on Tuesday, the Carlsbad City Council voted to move forward with several measures to reduce speeds in the Barrio.  

The plan the City Council approved includes: 

• New all-way stop signs at four intersections 
• 43 new high-visibility crosswalks 
• One raised crosswalk, which is similar to a speed cushion with a painted crosswalk 
• Six rectangular rapid flashing signs that light up to alert drivers when people are crossing the street 
• One traffic circle that the City Council previously approved during its July 29 meeting 

Next, staff will move forward with final design and return to a City Council meeting in November to request approval on the final plans and authorization to advertise for construction bids. 

Sign up to receive email updates on projects in the Village and Barrio. 

Wildfire camera up and running in Carlsbad 

Carlsbad’s latest wildfire safety resource is officially up and running, with a state-of-the art ALERTCalifornia camera installed this week in the La Costa Ridge community.  

• ALERTCalifornia is a statewide network of more than 1,100 high-definition wildfire cameras that provides real-time visibility of wildland areas.  
• The new camera — part of a partnership between the Carlsbad Fire Department, Carlsbad Municipal Water District and ALERTCalifornia — can help us spot wildfires early, speed up response times and better protect our community. If you want to watch the two live feeds, you can see them here and here. 

A big thank you to ALERTCalifornia for providing the equipment and installing the camera, and to the San Marcos Fire Department for coordinating resources. With new cameras now installed in both San Marcos and Carlsbad, we’re expanding coverage across North County, using smarter technology to monitor, assess and forecast wildfire conditions, keeping our neighborhoods safer. 

This project reflects the city’s commitment to public safety and wildfire preparedness, with transparency and community involvement guiding every step of the process.  

Find the city’s wildfire prevention resources on our website.  

Share feedback on Carlsbad's clean energy future

The Clean Energy Alliance asked us to share that it’s hosting a workshop to gather community feedback on local energy programs and priorities in Carlsbad on Sept. 17. 

The Clean Energy Alliance is the not-for-profit entity that purchases cleaner electricity on behalf of the community in Carlsbad and several other North County cities. (SDG&E still delivers the electricity and manages the infrastructure.) Carlsbad residents and businesses are automatically enrolled, but can choose to opt out. 

The Carlsbad workshop is one of several the alliance is hosting in North County to connect with residents and business owners. At the workshop, you can: 

• Share your experiences and energy needs   
• Learn about current and future clean energy programs 
• Help decide which initiatives matter most for our community’s future 

Clean Energy Alliance Workshop 

Wednesday, Sept. 17 

5:30 to 7 p.m. 

Carlsbad Senior Center 

799 Pine Avenue 

Participating in the Clean Energy Alliance is one of the ways the City of Carlsbad helps protect our environment and natural resources. 

City construction map helps you plan ahead

Check our construction map to see where City of Carlsbad projects are happening that might impact your commute next week.  

Thanks for being patient, slowing down and moving over if you can in construction zones. When you see crews at work, know they are completing projects that keep our streets and infrastructure running smoothly. A little kindness goes a long way in keeping everyone safe.  

Community events and activities

Here are some City of Carlsbad events and activities coming up soon at our libraries, community centers and the Carlsbad Senior Center.  



• Cinema Club Friday, "Legends of the Fall" – Friday, Sept. 12, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library 
• Family Movie Night: "Moana Singalong" – Saturday, Sept 13., 5 p.m., Stagecoach Community Center & Park 
• Saturdays in the Courtyard – Encore Saxophone – Saturday, Sept. 13, 5 p.m., Dove Library 
• Driving Workshop: Keeping the Keys (Adults 50+) – Wednesday, Sept. 17, 1 to 2 p.m., Carlsbad Senior Center 
• Reel Wednesday, “Fly Away Home" – Wednesday, Sept. 17, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library 

Find more activities and information in our city calendar, the Senior Center’s Seaside Insider newsletter and our Fall Community Services Guide. 

Upcoming city meetings

In addition to our special Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission meeting next week, a couple of other city boards and commissions are scheduled to meet, including our Parks & Recreation Commission and Planning Commission. 

Just like City Council meetings, these meetings are always open to the public. If you can’t make it to the meeting in person, they are also livestreamed on the city’s website and available to watch afterward. See the full meeting schedule on our city calendar.

Remembering 9/11

Today marks 24 years since the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. I want to take a moment to honor the courage of the first responders, remember those whose lives were lost and acknowledge the families and friends who still carry that loss every day. I’m also reminded of the strength we saw in the countless community members who came together in the face of tragedy. Their memory continues to live on in all of us. 

Geoff Patnoe 

City Manager