Motorcycle crash statistics and hotspots in Palo Alto, CA
- motorcycle crashes, 2021–2026
- 41
- motorcycle crashes, 2021–2026
- serious or fatal
- 10
- serious or fatal
- fatal
- 4
- fatal
- street with the most
- US-101
- street with the most
Where they cluster
All 6 spots, explained- 1US-101 & Oregon Expressway4 crashes · 1 serious or fatalPolice reports: in 3 of 4, a driver drifted out of the lane or onto the wrong side.
- 2US-101 & Oregon Expressway7 crashes · 1 serious or fatalA mix of crash types
- 3US-101 & San Antonio Rd4 crashes · 1 serious or fatalPolice reports: in 2 of 4, a driver drifted out of the lane or onto the wrong side.
Is 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: 41 motorcycle crashes were reported in Palo Alto from 2021–2026, 10 of them serious or fatal (4 fatal). The most were at US-101 & Oregon Expressway (4). 22% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip. 10% involved a car turning left across the rider.
Where to look next
How motorcyclists crash in Palo Alto
- 22% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip.
- 10% involved a car turning left across the rider.
- 37% happened after dark.
What the reports show about motorcycle crashes in Palo Alto
- 37% (California: 25%) of crashes happened after dark.
- 77% (California: 80%) were on roads posted 40 mph or faster.
- 24% (California: 28%) left someone seriously hurt or killed.
- The busiest hour was 5 p.m. (California: 5 p.m.).
- 3% (California: 2%) were on a wet road, as the report records it.
Set against all motorcycle crashes in California, 2021–2026. Without traffic counts these can't say how risky a street is.
Where motorcycle crashes cluster
Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.
- 014 crashes · 1 serious or fatal · 1 fatal
US-101 & Oregon Expressway
Close passes and cars turning alongside
Police reports: in 3 of 4, a driver drifted out of the lane or onto the wrong side. 3 of 4 crashes were sideswipes: a vehicle alongside, typically a close pass, a right hook, or an opening car door. Traffic is posted at about 65 mph.
- Don't linger in drivers' blind spots, and watch for cars changing lanes or turning into driveways alongside you.
- Traffic is fast here: at this speed you cross a junction in about a second, so scan early.
- 027 crashes · 1 serious or fatal
US-101 & Oregon Expressway
A mix of crash types
43% happened after dark. Traffic is posted at about 65 mph.
- No single crash pattern stands out here. Ride within your sight distance and keep extra space.
- Wear bright or reflective gear and use your high beam where you can.
- Traffic is fast here: at this speed you cross a junction in about a second, so scan early.
- 034 crashes · 1 serious or fatal
US-101 & San Antonio Rd
Riders hit from behind
Police reports: in 2 of 4, a driver drifted out of the lane or onto the wrong side. 3 of 4 crashes were rear-end: hit from behind. 50% happened after dark. 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.
- Wear bright or reflective gear and use your high beam where you can.
- Traffic is fast here: at this speed you cross a junction in about a second, so scan early.
- 043 crashes
US-101 & Embarcadero Rd
A mix of crash types
Police reports: in 2 of 3, a driver drifted out of the lane or onto the wrong side. 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.
- 053 crashes
Embarcadero Rd & High St
A mix of crash types
- No single crash pattern stands out here. Ride within your sight distance and keep extra space.
- 063 crashes
Embarcadero Rd & Wildwood Ln
A mix of crash types
67% happened after dark. Traffic is posted at about 65 mph.
- No single crash pattern stands out here. Ride within your sight distance and keep extra space.
- Wear bright or reflective gear and use your high beam where you can.
- Traffic is fast here: at this speed you cross a junction in about a second, so scan early.
What the police reports say drivers did in Palo Alto
| A driver… | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|
| drifted out of the lane or onto the wrong side | 9 | |
| turned or changed lanes when it wasn't clear | 4 | |
| drove too fast for conditions | 3 | |
| ran a red light | 2 | |
| didn't yield while turning left | 2 |
The other vehicle, where the report names one: 17 cars, 7 SUVs, 3 pickup trucks, 1 truck or semi and 1 minivan. In 2 crashes the report says the other driver had been drinking or was on drugs.
Reported motorcycle crashes, 2021–2026. The officer names one party and one Vehicle Code section as the main cause of each crash; these are the crashes where that party was a driver. It is the officer's reading at the scene, not a court's finding, and many reports name the person on foot or on a bike instead, which we don't list.
Motorcycle crashes in Palo Alto by year
| Year | Crashes | Serious/fatal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 10 | 5 | |
| 2023 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2026to Oct 19 | 7 | 0 |
2026 runs to Oct 19, the newest report in the data, and police reports keep arriving for months, so it isn't a full year.
Common questions about Palo Alto
- Where do the most motorcycle crashes happen in Palo Alto?
- The worst spot is US-101 & Oregon Expressway, with 4 reported motorcycle crashes from 2021–2026, 1 of them serious or fatal. Next are US-101 & Oregon Expressway (7) and US-101 & San Antonio Rd (4).
- How many motorcyclists were killed in Palo Alto?
- 4 crashes killed someone in 41 reported motorcycle crashes in Palo Alto from 2021–2026, and 10 left someone seriously hurt or killed.
- How do motorcyclists usually crash in Palo Alto?
- 22% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip. 10% involved a car turning left across the rider. 37% happened after dark.
- When and where do motorcycle crashes happen in Palo Alto, compared with California?
- Of 41 reported motorcycle crashes in Palo Alto from 2021–2026: 37% (California: 25%) of crashes happened after dark. 77% (California: 80%) were on roads posted 40 mph or faster. 24% (California: 28%) left someone seriously hurt or killed. The busiest hour was 5 p.m. (California: 5 p.m.). 3% (California: 2%) were on a wet road, as the report records it.
- How many motorcycle crashes happen in Palo Alto each year?
- Reported motorcycle crashes with map locations: 2021: 7, 2022: 10, 2023: 6, 2024: 6, 2025: 5, 2026 (through Oct 19): 7. 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. A report with no coordinates is placed at the intersection its street names give; reports with neither are not counted, so the real totals are higher.
Places to ride to near 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 2026-10-22. How the data works.