Bike crashes on El Camino Real, Carlsbad

We don't rate streets as safe or unsafe: crash counts can't say how risky a street is, and busy streets have more crashes partly because more people use them. This page covers traffic crashes, not crime. What the records show: 29 bike crashes were reported on El Camino Real in Carlsbad from 2021–2025, 3 of them serious or fatal (1 fatal). The most were at El Camino Real & Hosp Way (4). 14% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across). 21% were sideswipes (close passes, right hooks, car doors).

• 14% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across).
• 21% were sideswipes (close passes, right hooks, car doors).
• 14% were riders hit from behind.
• 7% happened after dark.

1. El Camino Real & Hosp Way

   4 crashes · 1 serious or fatal · 1 fatal

   Falls and fixed objects

   2 of 4 crashes were a fall or hitting an object, with no other vehicle involved. Traffic is posted at about 55 mph.

   • Watch the surface here: potholes, drain grates, rail tracks and gravel. Cross tracks at a right angle.
   • Traffic is fast here. A quieter parallel street is often worth the extra minutes.
   See it on the map

2. El Camino Real & La Costa Ave

   4 crashes

   Close passes and cars turning alongside

   3 of 4 crashes were sideswipes: a vehicle alongside, typically a close pass, a right hook, or an opening car door. Traffic is posted at about 55 mph.

   • 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.
   • Traffic is fast here. A quieter parallel street is often worth the extra minutes.
   See it on the map

3. El Camino Real & Tamarack Ave

   3 crashes

   Falls and fixed objects

   2 of 3 crashes were a fall or hitting an object, with no other vehicle involved. Traffic is posted at about 55 mph.

   • Watch the surface here: potholes, drain grates, rail tracks and gravel. Cross tracks at a right angle.
   • Traffic is fast here. A quieter parallel street is often worth the extra minutes.
   See it on the map

Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.

The busiest hour was 4 p.m..

Where on El Camino Real do the most bike crashes happen?

El Camino Real & Hosp Way, with 4 reported bike crashes from 2021–2025, 1 of them serious or fatal. Next are El Camino Real & La Costa Ave (4) and El Camino Real & Tamarack Ave (3).

How do cyclists usually get hit on El Camino Real?

14% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across). 21% were sideswipes (close passes, right hooks, car doors). 14% were riders hit from behind. 7% happened after dark.

How many bike crashes happen on El Camino Real each year?

Reported bike crashes on El Camino Real in Carlsbad: 2021: 6, 2022: 5, 2023: 7, 2024: 5, 2025: 6. 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, counted by the street each report names first. Only crashes reported with map coordinates are counted, so the real totals are higher.