Bike crash hotspots in San Mateo, CA
122 bike crashes were reported in San Mateo from 2021–2025, 7 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 San Mateo (148 crashes)
How people on bikes get hit in San Mateo
- 20% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across).
- 12% were sideswipes (close passes, right hooks, car doors).
- 16% happened after dark.
Where bike crashes cluster
Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.
1. Palm Avenue & 17th Avenue
6 crashes · 1 serious or fatalA mix of crash types
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
2. Tilton Ave & Humboldt Av
5 crashes · 1 serious or fatalSide-impact crashes at the junction
3 of 5 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.
3. S Delaware St & 2nd Av
6 crashesA mix of crash types
50% 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.
4. N El Camino Real & Baldwin Av
4 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. Humboldt St & Indian Av
4 crashes · 1 serious or fatalA mix of crash types
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
6. N San Mateo Dr & Poplar Av
5 crashesSide-impact crashes at the junction
3 of 5 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.
7. N San Mateo Dr & Monte Diablo Av
5 crashesA mix of crash types
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
8. 19th Avenue & South Delaware Street
4 crashesA mix of crash types
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
9. E Hillsdale Bl & Franklin Pkwy
3 crashesA mix of crash types
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
10. S Norfolk St & E Hillsdale Bl
3 crashesA mix of crash types
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
Bike crashes in San Mateo by year
| Year | Crashes | Serious/fatal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14 | 4 | |
| 2022 | 12 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 25 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 40 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 31 | 1 |
Common questions about San Mateo
- Where do the most bike crashes happen in San Mateo?
- The worst spot is Palm Avenue & 17th Avenue, with 6 reported bike crashes from 2021–2025, 1 of them serious or fatal. Next are Tilton Ave & Humboldt Av (5) and S Delaware St & 2nd Av (6).
- How many cyclists were killed in San Mateo?
- No deaths were reported in 122 reported bike crashes in San Mateo from 2021–2025, and 7 left someone seriously hurt or killed.
- How do cyclists usually get hit in San Mateo?
- 20% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across). 12% were sideswipes (close passes, right hooks, car doors). 16% happened after dark.
- How many bike crashes happen in San Mateo each year?
- Reported bike crashes with map locations: 2021: 14, 2022: 12, 2023: 25, 2024: 40, 2025: 31. 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.