CARLSBAD,the city of California,recently took a series of steps aimed at reducing a 233 percent increase in collisions involving bicycles and e-bikes over the past three years, while working to present a long-term solution to the City Council on Tuesday.

On August 30, the City Council approved the emergency proclamation, along with $2 million in emergency traffic safety grants, including :

• Increased overtime for police department training and law enforcement ($100,000).

• Procuring additional speed feedback signs and electronic messaging boards ($250,000).

• Four new full-time police officers in the police department ($535,000).

• Development of infrastructure projects and education on safe driving behaviors ($1,115,000)

Bicycle accidents have involved collisions with pedestrians, vehicles, other cyclists, and solo accidents. Last month, there were two recorded deaths. A motorcycle traveling at high speed struck and killed a bicyclist, while a car struck and killed an e-biker. According to Kristina Ray, a spokeswoman for the city, the deaths are still under investigation.

Ray claims that Carlsbad has been prioritizing enforcement, engineering, and education in the near term. At the same time, the city also carried out the following measures：

1. The city has added green lines to bike lanes in numerous spots.

2. Installed digital message boards and speed feedback signs in collision-prone zones.

3. Organize local schools to educate students and parents about traffic safety.

4. Strengthen the enforcement of traffic rules for all modes of travel.

5. Launched a public awareness program.

Although we don't yet have collision data comparisons, Ray noted that there have been fewer complaints about traffic safety and more people wearing helmets and engaging in other safety-related behaviors near school sites, which has been a cause for concern. "We will measure collision rates and other associated data once we have had an opportunity to implement more of the planned programs," the statement continued.

E-bikes were involved in two of the 30 bike crashes in 2019; eight of the 62 bike collisions in 2020; 33 of the 100 bike collisions in 2021; and so far in 2022 until July 31, of the 57 bike collisions, 32 involved e-bikes.

Kids riding e-bikes are the main issue, according to two local bike shops, a Carlsbad-based e-bike reseller, and BRAIN.

John Orndorff, who runs Pedego Carlsbad, agrees that more traffic safety-related education needs to be done.

Ray said the city's partnership with the bike store for education is part of its long-term plan.

"Because they have contact with bike riders, they are in a great position to help share information about the rules of the road and good safety practices," she said.