Bike crashes on El Camino Real, San Clemente

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: 22 bike crashes were reported on El Camino Real in San Clemente from 2021–2026, 3 of them serious or fatal. The most were at El Camino Real & Avenida Valencia (3). 23% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across). 18% were riders hit from behind.

• The worst spot, on the mapEl Camino Real & Avenida Valencia3 crashes. Riders hit from behind.
• The whole cityBike hotspots in San Clemente148 bike crashes, 2021–2026

• 23% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across).
• 18% were riders hit from behind.
• 14% happened after dark.

1. El Camino Real & Avenida Valencia

   3 crashes · 1 serious or fatal

   Riders hit from behind

   2 of 3 crashes were rear-end: hit from behind.

   • 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.
   See it on the map

2. El Camino Real & Avenida Presidio

   4 crashes

   A mix of crash types

   • No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
   See it on the map

3. El Camino Real & Avenida San Luis Rey

   3 crashes

   Head-on crashes

   2 of 3 crashes were head-on, often riding against traffic or a driver cutting across the centre line on a turn.

   • Ride with the flow of traffic, and watch for oncoming drivers turning left across you.
   See it on the map

4. El Camino Real & E Escalones

   3 crashes

   Falls and fixed objects

   2 of 3 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.
   See it on the map

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

The busiest hour was 1 p.m..

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

El Camino Real & Avenida Valencia, with 3 reported bike crashes from 2021–2026, 1 of them serious or fatal. Next are El Camino Real & Avenida Presidio (4) and El Camino Real & Avenida San Luis Rey (3).

How do cyclists usually get hit on El Camino Real?

23% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across). 18% were riders hit from behind. 14% happened after dark.

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

Reported bike crashes on El Camino Real in San Clemente: 2021: 2, 2022: 8, 2023: 3, 2024: 3, 2025: 3, 2026: 3. 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.