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Bike and eBike Safety

Bike and eBike Permit Information

Permit Process

All students are required to obtain a permit if they are planning on riding a bike to school and parking it on campus. Students wanting to ride a bike or eBike must complete an application (linked below) and attend a Carlsbad Unified School District (CUSD) approved bike/eBike Safety Presentation.

After completion of this application process, students will then receive a district-issued parking permit sticker which will need to be affixed to their bike or eBike. Stickers will be issued through the student’s school Front Office. Students who do not have a sticker visibly affixed to their bike or eBike will not be permitted to bring their bike or eBike onto any CUSD campus. There will be no charge to students for any portion of this application process.

What students will learn at bike and eBike classes:

  • Tips for staying safe on a bike or eBike
  • Rules of the road for bicyclists and drivers
  • Carlsbad-specific eBike laws

Safety class space is limited. Advanced registration is also required. Sign up at the link below.

For more tips and safety information, visit the City of Carlsbad's Safer Streets Together webpage.
For questions, please contact bikepermit@carlsbadusd.net.

 

 

Bike & eBike Permit Form Safety Class Registration

  • New permits are required for all students who are new to CUSD, move into CUSD during the school year, or decide after the start of the school year that they want to ride their bike or eBike to school; the online application link is live year-round.

    CUSD recommends new permit holders attend in-person bike/eBike safety presentations such as those provided by the City of Carlsbad. These are made available at different times throughout the school year. However, CUSD will also accept evidence of attendance of online bike/ebike training such as an online California Highway Patrol-approved course.

    Please check with your student’s school’s front office for additional options.

  • For annual renewals, students need only to complete an approved, online bike/eBike safety presentation or course. An online California Highway Patrol-approved course is currently available for students to meet the requirements.

    Students may complete another in-person presentation or course, however this is not required for renewals. Proof of successful completion of the online presentation or in-person course must be provided to your student’s school’s front office.

    Please check with your student’s school’s front office for questions about other CUSD approved online or in-person bike/eBike safety presentations or courses.

    A two-week grace period will also be given at the start of each school year for all students, and for all new to CUSD students beginning on their first day of enrollment regardless of their month of enrollment. If there are more than two weeks from their first day of enrollment and the next CUSD-approved bike/ eBike safety presentation, please contact your student’s school’s front office, or send an email to bikepermit@carlsbadusd.net requesting information about obtaining a temporary bike or eBike permit.

    Please Note: Parking permits are a privilege and may be revoked at any time for not following the safety expectations covered in the CUSD-approved Safety Presentation or Course. This includes wearing a helmet while riding as well as riding safely to and from school, and to and from a school-sponsored event.

  • Ebike classifications

    An eBike is an electric bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts.

    • The same rules of the road that apply to human-powered bicycles apply to all types of eBikes and human-powered bicycles.
    • Electric bicycles do not need registration, licensing or insurance like a car or motorcycle.

    California designates three classes of electric bicycles. Knowing the class of your electric bicycle will tell you where and how you can ride.

    Class 1: pedal-assisted eBike

    • Allowed wherever regular bicycles are allowed.
    • Equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling.
    • Power maxes out at 20 mph.
    • Operators and passengers under 18 years old must wear a helmet.

    Class 2: throttle-assisted eBike

    • Allowed wherever regular bicycles are allowed.
    • Equipped with a throttle-actuated motor.
    • Power maxes out at 20 mph.
    • Operators and passengers under 18 years old must wear a helmet.

    Class 3: pedal-assisted eBike

    • Allowed in bike lanes or separated bikeways adjacent to the roadway.
    • Equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling.
    • Power maxes out at 28 mph. Any eBike that can go over 28 mph is not street legal.
    • Operators must be 16 years old.
    • All ages must wear a helmet.

 

CUSD Bike/eBike Safety Protocols

  • Storage
    • Bicycles should be parked in their designated area(s) on campus.
    • Bicycles should never block ingress or egress or be placed in any location that would compromise safety and access.
  • Charging
    • Students using eBikes need to charge their equipment prior to arriving on campus. District outlets should not be used for charging
  • Security
    • It is the responsibility of the student to lock and secure their bicycle. The District is not responsible for damage or theft of bicycles on campus or en route to and from school and school-sponsored events.
  • Permits
    • All students are required to apply for a permit if they are planning on riding their bicycle to school and then parking it on campus.
  • Permit Stickers
    • After completion of the application process, students will receive a district-issued parking permit sticker which will need to be affixed to their bike or eBike. Stickers will be issued through the student’s school’s front office.
    • Students who do not have a sticker visibly affixed to their bike or eBike will not be permitted to bring their bike or eBike on any CUSD campus.
  • Class 3 eBikes
    • Students must be 16 years of age to operate a Class 3 eBike. Students under 16 years of age are only permitted to bring pedal bicycles, Class 1 eBikes, or Class 2 eBikes on campus.
  • Safety
    • Students must walk their bicycles upon entering campus, and at all times while on campus, including parking lots and pathways unless permission from a school official has been granted otherwise.
    • Students under 17 years of age and in possession of a bicycle must have a helmet with them while they are with their bicycle (California Vehicle Code 21212a, 21235).

 

 

Additional Resources

Additional Resources