Bike crash hotspots in Palm Desert, CA
72 bike crashes were reported in Palm Desert from 2021–2025, 4 of them serious or fatal (3 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 Palm Desert (47 crashes)
How people on bikes get hit in Palm Desert
- 60% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across).
- 18% happened after dark.
Where bike crashes cluster
Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.
1. Cook St & Country Club Dr
3 crashes · 1 serious or fatal · 1 fatalSide-impact crashes at the junction
3 of 3 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 55 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.
2. Fred Waring Dr & Town Center Way
4 crashesSide-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. 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.
3. Hwy 74 & El Paseo
4 crashesClose passes and cars turning alongside
2 of 4 crashes were sideswipes: a vehicle alongside, typically a close pass, a right hook, or an opening car door. 50% were hit-and-run.
- → 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.
4. Deep Canyon Rd & Fred Waring Dr
3 crashesA mix of crash types
Traffic is posted at about 45 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. Hwy 111 & Deep Canyon Rd
3 crashesSide-impact crashes at the junction
2 of 3 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.
Bike crashes in Palm Desert by year
| Year | Crashes | Serious/fatal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 18 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 17 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 17 | 1 |
Common questions about Palm Desert
- Where do the most bike crashes happen in Palm Desert?
- The worst spot is Cook St & Country Club Dr, with 3 reported bike crashes from 2021–2025, 1 of them serious or fatal. Next are Fred Waring Dr & Town Center Way (4) and Hwy 74 & El Paseo (4).
- How many cyclists were killed in Palm Desert?
- 3 crashes killed someone in 72 reported bike crashes in Palm Desert from 2021–2025, and 4 left someone seriously hurt or killed.
- How do cyclists usually get hit in Palm Desert?
- 60% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across). 18% happened after dark.
- How many bike crashes happen in Palm Desert each year?
- Reported bike crashes with map locations: 2021: 11, 2022: 9, 2023: 18, 2024: 17, 2025: 17. 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.