E-bikes are more popular than ever and allow people of many ages and abilities to get out and enjoy the fun and enjoyment of cycling with assistance from an electric motor. There are many different styles of e-bikes, from cargo e-bikes to beach cruisers to mountain bikes, making them useful and fun in many ways. E-bikes also provide a great alternative to getting in a car to travel around town.

If you ride, or are considering riding an e-bike in and around Encinitas, please take the time to learn what's allowed, what the applicable laws are and follow guidelines and recommendations for riding safely.

Submit Your Best Message Board Phrase

Have you seen the clever phrases on our traffic message boards along Coast Highway 101 which promote safe cycling and etiquette while sharing the roadways? We'd love to read your best ideas to keep it safe and fun on the 101. Submit your own phrase below for us to consider using in the future. If selected, we'll contact you so you can be sure to go by bike and grab a pic! Phrase submittals must be no more than 35 characters total, split between two consecutive sign boards (example “Keep speeds low" – “Keep Leucadia funky”).

Submit your phrase!

Let’s Ride Bikes Coloring Book

Read-along coloring book about bicycle safety. Download a pdf version of the coloring book for you to print and color at home.

Bike Jeopardy Game

Here's a great activity for families and teachers alike, from Bike NYC. Just like the famous TV game, only bike-centric! Includes instructions for presentation-style display. Grab your group and use this interactive presentation to put your bike knowledge to the test.

Top 10 Stretches for Cyclists

Stretching can be just as important as the ride, so take a few minutes after every ride to stretch those muscles.

Helmet Fitting and Safety Standards

Head injuries are by far the greatest risk to bicyclists, making up one-third of emergency department visits, two-thirds of hospital admissions and three-fourths of deaths. A helmet can decrease the severity of a brain injury and even save your life. Learn more Helmet Safety Tips and check out the AMR video.

Bike/E-Bike "City Cycling" Skills and Safety Classes offered in Encinitas!

In our class, offered in partnership with the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, you will learn the rules of the road and practice essential bike riding skills with a trained bike instructor. Topics covered include where to ride, best practices, emergency maneuvers, legal rights and responsibilities. 

The 3-hour class is broken up into 3 parts: lecture, skills drills, and a guided road ride to put your new skills into action! Class content applies to both regular and e-bikes. Make sure your bike is in good working order and ready to ride. Some cycling experience is required as this is not a "learn-to-ride" class.

Encinitas residents will receive a refund of registration amount after completion of the course ($2.50 ActiveNet system processing fee is non-refundable).  If under 16, parent registration and participation strongly encouraged.  For participants 12 and under, parent registration and participation required. 

Click here for info and to register

Bike E-Bike Safety Video

Our official City of Encinitas video created in partnership with the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition illustrates the common rules of the road, riding tips, e-bike classifications and laws and demonstrates proper use of bicycle infrastructure. 

Beginner Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Here's a handy guide to avoiding 9 common beginner mistakes from Cycling Weekly online.

Bike Maintenance for Bike Safety

It's important to do an "ABC" quick check on your bicycle to ensure that it is safe before every ride. This video from the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition will teach you how to check your bike and diagnose problems that need to be addressed before you take a spin.

It’s the Law!

People riding bikes on public streets have the same rights and responsibilities as automobile drivers and are thus subject to the same rules and regulations. The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition website provides plenty of information to learn more about California Vehicle Code (CVC) basics, use of traffic lanes, required bicycle lights, where you can and can't ride (including guidelines for e-bike classifications), signaling and making turns and links to additional resources.

Sharrows, Bike Lanes and Paths, so much to know!

There's a lot to know about bicycle infrastructure for getting around town on a bike. Check out this "Choose the Correct Lane" video provided by the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition.

Share the Road!

Unless otherwise posted, bike riders have the same rights and responsibilities on public roads as car drivers. Watch this video from the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition to learn about what it means to "share the road." Following the rules of the road makes travel safer for everyone.

MyEncinitas

Did you know that the City of Encinitas has a great tool for reporting non-emergency issues to the City, such as potholes, poor street conditions or other hazards for cyclists? Check out this handy tool online and you can also download MyEncinitas as a mobile app which will give you the ability to report a problem on-the-go.

E-Bikes

E-bike popularity is booming. It’s important to know that people riding e-bikes on the roadways and in public places are subject to the same rules and responsibilities as motor vehicle users. Visit the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition e-bike specific webpage to learn about e-bike classifications, California Vehicle Code (CVC) laws relating to bikes and more.

Riding to 2050, the San Diego Regional Bike Plan

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) San Diego Regional Bike Plan was adopted to provide a regional strategy to make riding a bike a useful form of transportation for everyday travel. Additionally, implementation of the bike plan will help the San Diego region meet its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve mobility. It also provides benefits to public health by encouraging more people to adopt a physically active mode of transportation for at least some of their trips.

iCommute SD Interactive San Diego Regional Bike Map

With more than 1,570 miles of bikeways in the San Diego region, riding a bike can get people where they want to go – to work, school, transit stations, and more. The interactive San Diego Regional Bike Map features base maps that show street, imagery or topographic views, as well as layers to highlight rail lines and steep routes. This free resource is produced by SANDAG and includes the latest updates to bikeways in the San Diego region and bike parking facilities. Use the bike map to plan your ride today!

Bike Routes in Encinitas

Have a look at the Encinitas Bike Route Map (pdf) created to show you available bike routes, paths and lanes by category in Encinitas.

Map Apps!

There are a ton of great mobile and web apps that make getting around easy, such as Komoot, MapMyRide, and Strava, but check back soon for more user tricks and tips.

The Economic Impact of Bicycles in Communities

Check out these articles to read about how bike events, bike access, and bike gathering spaces can improve business and have positive impacts in communities:

• "Becoming a Bike Friendly Business"
• "The Economic Impacts of Bicycle Infrastructure"

Special thanks to Cyclovia Encinitas' many terrific partner organizations and sponsors for their content, programs and support. Learn more and get involved:

• AMR Ambulance
• Cardiff 101
• City of Encinitas Environmental Commission
• City of Encinitas Parks and Recreation Commission
• City of Encinitas Traffic and Public Safety Commission
• Circulate San Diego
• Electra Bicycles
• Encinitas BCycle
• Encinitas 101
• EncinitasBikeWalk
• Encinitas Chamber of Commerce
• Leucadia 101
• North County Transit District
• SANDAG
• San Diego County Bicycle Coalition
• San Diego County Library - Encinitas Branch
• San Diego County Sheriffs Department
• Trek Store Encinitas