Carlsbad Unified School District students who ride a bike or e-bike to campus must carry a district-issued permit sticker or leave the bike at home.
The permit requirement, detailed on the district's e-bike page, applies to all students age 12 and older at every CUSD campus. The age threshold effectively limits the mandate to middle and high school students. To get a permit, students must complete a CUSD bicycle permit application and attend an approved bike or e-bike safety course. After submitting proof of course completion to their school's front office, students receive a permit sticker that must be visibly affixed to the bike. No sticker, no campus parking.
The entire process is free.
Why the district acted
The policy aligns with City of Carlsbad e-bike regulations that took effect March 26. The Carlsbad City Council unanimously approved those rules on Feb. 24, banning e-bike riders under 12 and giving the Carlsbad Police Department authority to impound bikes involved in unsafe riding, North County Pipeline reported. Carlsbad co-sponsored Assembly Bill 2234, the state law that authorized the local regulations.
Full enforcement by Carlsbad police began May 25. Officers can cite an unsafe rider $25, though the fine can be waived if the rider completes an approved safety class within 120 days, according to Carlsbad police Lt. Jason Arnotti.
A Calavera Hills Middle School newsletter dated Sunday, Sept. 13, reminded families of the rules as the school year got underway. The district developed the policy in partnership with the City of Carlsbad and the Carlsbad Police Department.
What families need to do
The permit application is available year-round on the CUSD website. Students can satisfy the safety course requirement through a city-run, in-person bike safety class or an approved online course. In-person classes have limited space and require advance registration. They are open only to students who live in Carlsbad or attend a Carlsbad school.
Because the city does not offer in-person classes year-round, the district also accepts evidence of completing an approved online course.
A two-week grace period applies at the start of each school year and for students new to the district. Annual renewals require only an online course, not another in-person session.
Permits can be revoked for safety violations, including riding without a helmet. Students may not charge e-bikes on district property.
Jim Norris, owner of SoCal Bikes in Oceanside, captured the logic behind mandatory training in a February 2025 San Diego Reader feature on e-bike safety: "Just like drivers of cars, who need instructions on how to drive before getting on the road injured, kids now need to take a class before they can ride their e-bikes to school."
Families can find the permit application, a list of approved courses and additional details on the district's e-bike page.
