Bike crash hotspots in Menlo Park, CA
146 bike crashes were reported in Menlo Park from 2021–2025, 16 of them serious or 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 Menlo Park (56 crashes)
How people on bikes get hit in Menlo Park
- 20% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across).
- 14% happened after dark.
Where bike crashes cluster
Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.
1. Middle Av & El Camino Real
11 crashes · 3 serious or fatalA mix of crash types
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
2. Oak Grove Av & El Camino Real
12 crashes · 1 serious or fatalA mix of crash types
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
3. Willow Rd & Coleman Ave
11 crashesA mix of crash types
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
4. Valparaiso Av & Crane St
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.
5. University Dr & Santa Cruz
7 crashesA mix of crash types
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
6. Wallea Dr & Cathy Pl
3 crashes · 2 serious or fatalA mix of crash types
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
7. Bayfront Expressway & University Avenue
4 crashes · 1 serious or fatalA mix of crash types
75% happened after dark. Traffic is posted at about 50 mph.
- → 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.
- → Traffic is fast here. A quieter parallel street is often worth the extra minutes.
8. Alameda De Las Pulgas & Avy Avenue
4 crashes · 1 serious or fatalSide-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.
9. Santa Cruz Avenue & Sand Hill Road
4 crashesA mix of crash types
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
10. Ravenswood Ave & Alma Street
4 crashesA mix of crash types
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
Bike crashes in Menlo Park by year
| Year | Crashes | Serious/fatal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 22 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 25 | 3 | |
| 2023 | 32 | 3 | |
| 2024 | 31 | 3 | |
| 2025 | 36 | 5 |
Common questions about Menlo Park
- Where do the most bike crashes happen in Menlo Park?
- The worst spot is Middle Av & El Camino Real, with 11 reported bike crashes from 2021–2025, 3 of them serious or fatal. Next are Oak Grove Av & El Camino Real (12) and Willow Rd & Coleman Ave (11).
- How many cyclists were killed in Menlo Park?
- No deaths were reported in 146 reported bike crashes in Menlo Park from 2021–2025, and 16 left someone seriously hurt or killed.
- How do cyclists usually get hit in Menlo Park?
- 20% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across). 14% happened after dark.
- How many bike crashes happen in Menlo Park each year?
- Reported bike crashes with map locations: 2021: 22, 2022: 25, 2023: 32, 2024: 31, 2025: 36. 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.