Bike crash statistics and hotspots in La Mesa, CA
- bike crashes, 2021–2026
- 45
- bike crashes, 2021–2026
- serious or fatal
- 4
- serious or fatal
- fatal
- 0
- fatal
- street with the most
- Fletcher Pkwy
- street with the most
Is La Mesa safe to ride a bike?
This page covers traffic crashes, not crime. We don't rate cities 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. What the records show: 45 bike crashes were reported in La Mesa from 2021–2026, 4 of them serious or fatal. The most were at Fletcher Pkwy & Jackson Dr (7). 42% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across). 13% were sideswipes (close passes, right hooks, car doors).
Where to look next
How people on bikes get hit in La Mesa
- 42% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across).
- 13% were sideswipes (close passes, right hooks, car doors).
- 18% happened after dark.
What the reports show about bike crashes in La Mesa
- 18% (California: 21%) of crashes happened after dark.
- 9% (California: 13%) left someone seriously hurt or killed.
- The busiest hour was 3 p.m. (California: 3 p.m.).
Set against all bike crashes in California, 2021–2026. Without traffic counts these can't say how risky a street is.
Where bike crashes cluster
Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.
- 017 crashes · 1 serious or fatal
Fletcher Pkwy & Jackson Dr
Side-impact crashes at the junction
4 of 7 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.
- 023 crashes · 1 serious or fatal
Fletcher Pkwy & Baltimore Dr
A mix of crash types
- No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
- 034 crashes
El Cajon Blvd & Baltimore Dr
Side-impact crashes at the junction
2 of 4 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.
- 043 crashes
Lake Murray Blvd & Kiowa Dr
A mix of crash types
67% happened after dark.
- No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
- Use a front and rear light, even on lit streets.
- 053 crashes
El Cajon Blvd & Jessie Ave
A mix of crash types
- No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
Streets with the most bike crashes in La Mesa
| Street | Crashes | Serious/fatal |
|---|---|---|
| Fletcher Pkwy | 9 | 2 |
| El Cajon Blvd | 5 | 0 |
| Jackson Dr | 4 | 1 |
| Lake Murray Blvd | 4 | 0 |
Reported bike crashes, 2021–2026, counted by the street each police report names first, so a crash at a corner counts toward one of its two streets. Long, busy streets collect more crashes partly because more people use them.
Bike crashes in La Mesa by year
| Year | Crashes | Serious/fatal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 11 | 3 | |
| 2025 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
How people get to work in La Mesa
| Share of workers | La Mesa | California |
|---|---|---|
| Drive alone | 69.9% | 65.7% |
| Carpool | 6.8% | 9.5% |
| Public transit | 1.3% | 2.9% |
| Walk | 2.6% | 2.4% |
| Bicycle | 0% | 0.7% |
| Work from home | 17.8% | 17.2% |
6.1% of households in La Mesa have no car (California: 7.1%). The average trip to work takes 23.8 minutes one way (California: 28.7).
US Census American Community Survey, 2020–2024 five-year estimates, 60,797 residents. These are trips to work only: walks to school, the shops or a bus stop aren't counted, so they can't say how much walking or riding happens on La Mesa's streets.
Common questions about La Mesa
- Where do the most bike crashes happen in La Mesa?
- The worst spot is Fletcher Pkwy & Jackson Dr, with 7 reported bike crashes from 2021–2026, 1 of them serious or fatal. Next are Fletcher Pkwy & Baltimore Dr (3) and El Cajon Blvd & Baltimore Dr (4).
- How many cyclists were killed in La Mesa?
- No deaths were reported in 45 reported bike crashes in La Mesa from 2021–2026, and 4 left someone seriously hurt or killed.
- How do cyclists usually get hit in La Mesa?
- 42% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across). 13% were sideswipes (close passes, right hooks, car doors). 18% happened after dark.
- When and where do bike crashes happen in La Mesa, compared with California?
- Of 45 reported bike crashes in La Mesa from 2021–2026: 18% (California: 21%) of crashes happened after dark. 9% (California: 13%) left someone seriously hurt or killed. The busiest hour was 3 p.m. (California: 3 p.m.).
- Which streets in La Mesa have the most bike crashes?
- By the street each police report names first, 2021–2026: Fletcher Pkwy (9), El Cajon Blvd (5), Jackson Dr (4), Lake Murray Blvd (4). Long, busy streets collect more crashes partly because more people use them.
- How many people bike to work in La Mesa?
- 0% of workers in La Mesa ride a bicycle to work (California: 0.7%), and 1.3% take public transit. 6.1% of households have no car (California: 7.1%). From the Census American Community Survey, 2020–2024.
- How many bike crashes happen in La Mesa each year?
- Reported bike crashes with map locations: 2021: 13, 2022: 3, 2023: 9, 2024: 11, 2025: 8, 2026: 1. 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.
Places to ride to near La Mesa
Bike climbs near La Mesa
Nearby cities
Source: California Crash Reporting System (CCRS), 2021–2026. A report with no coordinates is placed at the intersection its street names give; reports with neither are not counted, so these numbers are lower than the real total. Busy streets show more crashes partly because more people use them. Data last rebuilt 2026-10-07. How the data works.