By Phil Diehl | philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com | The San Diego Union-Tribune
Carlsbad's City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to prepare an ordinance that would prohibit anyone under age 12 from riding e-bikes and would ban the machines at two city parks that have had excessive problems with them, such as riders endangering pedestrians.
Most children have little training in the rules of the road and are not prepared to safely operate something with the speed, acceleration and weight of an e-bike, especially in a sudden, unpredictable situation, said Councilmember Priya Bhat-Patel.
"Those consequences are showing up on our streets," Bhat-Patel said.
"I am that person with a stroller ... with a dog, that has almost been hit by an e-bike," she said. "We can't ignore the mismatch between the capability of these machines ... and ... children."
The proposed ordinance, if approved, would prohibit anyone from riding e-bikes at the city's Poinsettia and Pine Avenue community parks.
"Between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, 2025, a total of 102 e-bike-related calls for service were reported across six city-owned parks, with more than 66% of the calls being at Poinsettia Community Park and Pine Avenue Community Park," states a city report.
Most of the complaints were from pedestrians who encountered aggressive riders on sidewalks, city officials said, but there also were reports of vandalism and other incidents in which the suspects used e-bikes for a quick get-away.
Parents who provide the bikes could feel the heat of their offspring's misadventures under the proposal. Those who "authorize or knowingly permit" violations could be fined and, in the case of repeat offenders, reported to Child Protective Services.
"Kids are not buying these e-bikes; they are being bought by the parent," said Mayor Keith Blackburn. "It's up to the parents ... to make the good decisions."
Also, the ordinance would allow police to impound e-bikes ridden by violators. The bikes would be released only after a minimum 48 hours and the payment of any associated costs. In some cases, the release may require the operator or a parent or guardian to complete an approved e-bike or bicycle safety course.
The council also asked to include a prohibition on unsafe passing and for the city manager to determine whether e-bikes should be banned in any additional parks.
At Blackburn's suggestion, the council agreed not to pursue a proposal to prohibit anyone younger than 16 from riding an e-bike after dark. Especially in winter, when the sun goes down as early as 4:30 p.m., a 15-year-old should be able to ride to a friend's house, he said.
Based on the suggestions, city staffers will bring back a draft ordinance for the council to consider next year.
Carlsbad was among the first cities in the region to pass e-bike laws, when in 2022 -- among other things -- it prohibited them on public sidewalks, drainage ditches, culverts, athletic courts or gyms. The city declared a local traffic emergency that year after a spike in collisions and two bicycle fatalities, leading to increased regulations, expanded enforcement, and safety improvements such as better bike lanes and crosswalks.
Cities in San Diego County are beefing up e-bike laws as part of a pilot program that took effect this year under Assembly Bill 2234, sponsored by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, D-Encinitas. The program only applies to San Diego County and its cities, and it sunsets Jan. 1, 2029.
Chula Vista, Coronado, Poway and San Marcos have adopted similar ordinances this year to prohibit e-bikes for children younger than 12. Final approval of one in Santee is expected this month.