Motorcycle crash hotspots in Palo Alto, CA
- motorcycle crashes, 2021–2025
- 25
- motorcycle crashes, 2021–2025
- serious or fatal
- 7
- serious or fatal
- fatal
- 4
- fatal
Is Palo Alto safe to ride a motorcycle?
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. The records for Palo Alto are also incomplete: only 65% of its reported motorcycle crashes have a map location, so the numbers here are too low. What the records show: 25 motorcycle crashes were reported in Palo Alto from 2021–2025, 7 of them serious or fatal (4 fatal). The most were at US-101 Southbound & Oregon Expressway (4).
How motorcyclists crash in Palo Alto
- 20% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip.
- 44% happened after dark.
- 12% were hit-and-run.
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 Southbound & Oregon Expressway
Close passes and cars turning alongside
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.
- 026 crashes · 1 serious or fatal
US-101 & Oregon Expressway
A mix of crash types
50% 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 Road
Riders hit from behind
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 Road
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.
Motorcycle crashes in Palo Alto by year
| Year | Crashes | Serious/fatal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 7 | 4 | |
| 2023 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 5 | 0 |
Common questions about Palo Alto
- Where do the most motorcycle crashes happen in Palo Alto?
- The worst spot is US-101 Southbound & Oregon Expressway, with 4 reported motorcycle crashes from 2021–2025, 1 of them serious or fatal. Next are US-101 & Oregon Expressway (6) and US-101 & San Antonio Road (4). These counts are too low for Palo Alto: only 65% of its reported motorcycle crashes have a map location.
- How many motorcyclists were killed in Palo Alto?
- 4 crashes killed someone in 25 reported motorcycle crashes in Palo Alto from 2021–2025, and 7 left someone seriously hurt or killed. These counts are too low for Palo Alto: only 65% of its reported motorcycle crashes have a map location.
- How do motorcyclists usually crash in Palo Alto?
- 20% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip. 44% happened after dark. 12% were hit-and-run.
- How many motorcycle crashes happen in Palo Alto each year?
- Reported motorcycle crashes with map locations: 2021: 2, 2022: 7, 2023: 6, 2024: 5, 2025: 5. 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 Palo Alto
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. 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 2026-09-22. How the data works.