Motorcycle crash statistics and hotspots in East Palo Alto, CA
- motorcycle crashes, 2021–2026
- 18
- motorcycle crashes, 2021–2026
- serious or fatal
- 5
- serious or fatal
- fatal
- 2
- fatal
- street with the most
- US-101
- street with the most
Is East Palo Alto safe to ride a motorcycle?
This page covers traffic crashes, not crime. We don't rate cities 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. What the records show: 18 motorcycle crashes were reported in East Palo Alto from 2021–2026, 5 of them serious or fatal (2 fatal). The most were at US-101 & University Ave (6). 28% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip. 6% involved a car turning left across the rider.
Where to look next
How motorcyclists crash in East Palo Alto
- 28% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip.
- 6% involved a car turning left across the rider.
- 22% happened after dark.
- 17% were hit-and-run.
Where motorcycle crashes cluster
Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.
- 016 crashes · 2 serious or fatal · 1 fatal
US-101 & University Ave
A mix of crash types
Traffic is posted at about 65 mph.
- No single crash pattern stands out here. Ride within your sight distance and keep extra space.
- Traffic is fast here: at this speed you cross a junction in about a second, so scan early.
- 023 crashes · 1 serious or fatal · 1 fatal
Fordham St & Michigan Ave
Close passes and cars turning alongside
3 of 3 crashes were sideswipes: a vehicle alongside, typically a close pass, a right hook, or an opening car door. 67% were hit-and-run.
- Don't linger in drivers' blind spots, and watch for cars changing lanes or turning into driveways alongside you.
- 033 crashes
US-101 & University Ave
Riders hit from behind
2 of 3 crashes were rear-end: hit from behind. Traffic is posted at about 65 mph.
- Check your mirrors when slowing, flash your brake light, and leave an escape gap when you stop in traffic.
- Traffic is fast here: at this speed you cross a junction in about a second, so scan early.
Motorcycle crashes in East Palo Alto by year
| Year | Crashes | Serious/fatal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2026 | 2 | 0 |
Common questions about East Palo Alto
- Where do the most motorcycle crashes happen in East Palo Alto?
- The worst spot is US-101 & University Ave, with 6 reported motorcycle crashes from 2021–2026, 2 of them serious or fatal. Next are Fordham St & Michigan Ave (3) and US-101 & University Ave (3).
- How many motorcyclists were killed in East Palo Alto?
- 2 crashes killed someone in 18 reported motorcycle crashes in East Palo Alto from 2021–2026, and 5 left someone seriously hurt or killed.
- How do motorcyclists usually crash in East Palo Alto?
- 28% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip. 6% involved a car turning left across the rider. 22% happened after dark. 17% were hit-and-run.
- How many motorcycle crashes happen in East Palo Alto each year?
- Reported motorcycle crashes with map locations: 2021: 3, 2022: 3, 2023: 5, 2024: 1, 2025: 4, 2026: 2. 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.
Places to ride to near East Palo Alto
Nearby cities
Source: California Crash Reporting System (CCRS), 2021–2026. A report with no coordinates is placed at the intersection its street names give; reports with neither are not counted, so these numbers are lower than the real total. Freeway crashes are included: many motorcycle crashes in cities happen on them. Busy streets show more crashes partly because more people use them. Data last rebuilt 2026-10-07. How the data works.