Bike crash hotspots in Carlsbad, CA
460 bike crashes were reported in Carlsbad from 2021–2025, 42 of them serious or fatal (5 fatal). Below are the spots where they keep happening, what usually goes wrong at each one, and what to watch for.
Also: Pedestrian crash hotspots in Carlsbad (127 crashes)
How people on bikes get hit in Carlsbad
- 27% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across).
- 16% were sideswipes (close passes, right hooks, car doors).
- 13% were riders hit from behind.
- 10% happened after dark.
Where bike crashes cluster
Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.
1. Grand Av & Washington St
17 crashes · 2 serious or fatalA mix of crash types
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
2. Carlsbad Bl & State St
14 crashes · 3 serious or fatalFalls and fixed objects
5 of 14 crashes were a fall or hitting an object, with no other vehicle involved.
- → Watch the surface here: potholes, drain grates, rail tracks and gravel. Cross tracks at a right angle.
3. Carlsbad Bl & Solamar Dr (W)
8 crashes · 1 serious or fatal · 1 fatalRiders hit from behind
3 of 8 crashes were rear-end: hit from behind. Traffic is posted at about 50 mph.
- → Run a bright rear light day and night, and ride where drivers see you early rather than tucked into the gutter. A mirror or rear radar helps.
- → Traffic is fast here. A quieter parallel street is often worth the extra minutes.
4. Carlsbad Bl & Ponto Rd
7 crashes · 1 serious or fatal · 1 fatalA mix of crash types
Traffic is posted at about 50 mph.
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
- → Traffic is fast here. A quieter parallel street is often worth the extra minutes.
5. Carlsbad Bl & Oak Av
10 crashes · 1 serious or fatalClose passes and cars turning alongside
5 of 10 crashes were sideswipes: a vehicle alongside, typically a close pass, a right hook, or an opening car door.
- → Ride at least 4 feet from parked cars to stay out of the door zone, and watch for drivers who overtake and then turn right across you.
6. Carlsbad Village Dr & Harding St
11 crashesSide-impact crashes at the junction
9 of 11 crashes were broadside: a vehicle hit at an angle, usually a driver pulling out of a side street or driveway, turning across, or running the signal.
- → Slow down approaching the junction, watch drivers' front wheels at side streets and driveways, and don't assume a driver waiting to turn has seen you.
7. Carlsbad Bl & Cannon Rd
10 crashesClose passes and cars turning alongside
6 of 10 crashes were sideswipes: a vehicle alongside, typically a close pass, a right hook, or an opening car door.
- → Ride at least 4 feet from parked cars to stay out of the door zone, and watch for drivers who overtake and then turn right across you.
8. College Bl & Cannon Rd
9 crashesSide-impact crashes at the junction
4 of 9 crashes were broadside: a vehicle hit at an angle, usually a driver pulling out of a side street or driveway, turning across, or running the signal. Traffic is posted at about 45 mph.
- → Slow down approaching the junction, watch drivers' front wheels at side streets and driveways, and don't assume a driver waiting to turn has seen you.
- → Traffic is fast here. A quieter parallel street is often worth the extra minutes.
9. Poinsettia Ln & Avenida Encinas
7 crashes · 1 serious or fatalA mix of crash types
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
10. Carlsbad Bl & Avenida Encinas
5 crashes · 2 serious or fatalRiders hit from behind
2 of 5 crashes were rear-end: hit from behind. Traffic is posted at about 50 mph.
- → Run a bright rear light day and night, and ride where drivers see you early rather than tucked into the gutter. A mirror or rear radar helps.
- → Traffic is fast here. A quieter parallel street is often worth the extra minutes.
Bike crashes in Carlsbad by year
| Year | Crashes | Serious/fatal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 82 | 7 | |
| 2022 | 105 | 11 | |
| 2023 | 88 | 10 | |
| 2024 | 82 | 6 | |
| 2025 | 103 | 8 |
Common questions about Carlsbad
- Where do the most bike crashes happen in Carlsbad?
- The worst spot is Grand Av & Washington St, with 17 reported bike crashes from 2021–2025, 2 of them serious or fatal. Next are Carlsbad Bl & State St (14) and Carlsbad Bl & Solamar Dr (W) (8).
- How many cyclists were killed in Carlsbad?
- 5 crashes killed someone in 460 reported bike crashes in Carlsbad from 2021–2025, and 42 left someone seriously hurt or killed.
- How do cyclists usually get hit in Carlsbad?
- 27% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across). 16% were sideswipes (close passes, right hooks, car doors). 13% were riders hit from behind. 10% happened after dark.
- How many bike crashes happen in Carlsbad each year?
- Reported bike crashes with map locations: 2021: 82, 2022: 105, 2023: 88, 2024: 82, 2025: 103. The latest year can rise as late reports come in.
- Where does this data come from?
- Police crash reports in the California Crash Reporting System (CCRS), published by the state on data.ca.gov. Only crashes reported with map coordinates are counted, so the real totals are higher.
Nearby cities
Source: California Crash Reporting System (CCRS), 2021–2025. Only crashes reported with map coordinates are counted, and many city police reports have none, so these numbers are lower than the real total. Busy streets show more crashes partly because more people use them. Data last rebuilt 2026-09-22. How the data works.