Bike crash hotspots in Santa Maria, CA
126 bike crashes were reported in Santa Maria from 2021–2025, 14 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 Santa Maria (172 crashes)
How people on bikes get hit in Santa Maria
- 63% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across).
- 15% were sideswipes (close passes, right hooks, car doors).
- 17% happened after dark.
Where bike crashes cluster
Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.
1. Stowell Rd & Broadway
6 crashes · 2 serious or fatalSide-impact crashes at the junction
3 of 6 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.
2. Broadway & Enos Dr
6 crashes · 2 serious or fatalSide-impact crashes at the junction
3 of 6 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. Broadway & Mcelhaney Av
5 crashes · 1 serious or fatalSide-impact crashes at the junction
4 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.
4. Alvin Ave & Broadway
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.
5. Broadway & Mill St
4 crashes · 1 serious or fatalSide-impact crashes at the junction
4 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.
6. Main St & College Dr
5 crashesSide-impact crashes at the junction
4 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. 40% happened after dark.
- → 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.
- → Use a front and rear light, even on lit streets.
7. Donovan Rd & Lincoln St
3 crashes · 1 serious or fatalA 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.
8. Battles Rd & Biscayne Street
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. Traffic is posted at about 40 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.
9. Orchard St & Pine St
3 crashes · 1 serious or fatalSide-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.
- → 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.
10. Main St & Miller St
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.
- → 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.
Bike crashes in Santa Maria by year
| Year | Crashes | Serious/fatal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 26 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 21 | 3 | |
| 2023 | 21 | 3 | |
| 2024 | 26 | 4 | |
| 2025 | 32 | 2 |
Common questions about Santa Maria
- Where do the most bike crashes happen in Santa Maria?
- The worst spot is Stowell Rd & Broadway, with 6 reported bike crashes from 2021–2025, 2 of them serious or fatal. Next are Broadway & Enos Dr (6) and Broadway & Mcelhaney Av (5).
- How many cyclists were killed in Santa Maria?
- No deaths were reported in 126 reported bike crashes in Santa Maria from 2021–2025, and 14 left someone seriously hurt or killed.
- How do cyclists usually get hit in Santa Maria?
- 63% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across). 15% were sideswipes (close passes, right hooks, car doors). 17% happened after dark.
- How many bike crashes happen in Santa Maria each year?
- Reported bike crashes with map locations: 2021: 26, 2022: 21, 2023: 21, 2024: 26, 2025: 32. 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.