Motorcycle crash hotspots in San Mateo, CA
- motorcycle crashes, 2021–2025
- 105
- motorcycle crashes, 2021–2025
- serious or fatal
- 19
- serious or fatal
- fatal
- 1
- fatal
Is San Mateo 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. What the records show: 105 motorcycle crashes were reported in San Mateo from 2021–2025, 19 of them serious or fatal (1 fatal). The most were at US-101 & Peninsula Ave (8). 22% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip. 10% involved a car turning left across the rider.
How motorcyclists crash in San Mateo
- 22% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip.
- 10% involved a car turning left across the rider.
- 19% happened after dark.
Where motorcycle crashes cluster
Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.
- 018 crashes · 2 serious or fatal
US-101 & Peninsula Ave
Riders hit from behind
3 of 8 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.
- 024 crashes · 1 serious or fatal · 1 fatal
US-101 & SR-92
Riders hit from behind
3 of 4 crashes were rear-end: hit from behind. 50% happened after dark. Traffic is posted at about 55 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.
- 037 crashes
US-101 & SR-92
Falls and fixed objects
4 of 7 crashes were a fall or hitting an object, with no other vehicle involved. Traffic is posted at about 65 mph.
- Enter slower than feels necessary and watch for gravel, sand and diesel. Look through the bend.
- Traffic is fast here: at this speed you cross a junction in about a second, so scan early.
- 043 crashes · 2 serious or fatal
US-101 & Peninsula Ave
Close passes and cars turning alongside
2 of 3 crashes were sideswipes: a vehicle alongside, typically a close pass, a right hook, or an opening car door.
- Don't linger in drivers' blind spots, and watch for cars changing lanes or turning into driveways alongside you.
- 055 crashes
US-101 & 3rd Ave
Close passes and cars turning alongside
3 of 5 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.
- 063 crashes · 1 serious or fatal
SR-92 Westbound & S. Delaware St
A mix of crash types
Traffic is posted at about 55 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.
- 074 crashes
S San Mateo Dr & Baldwin Av
Side-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.
- Cover your brakes through the junction and watch the front wheels of cars waiting to pull out or turn left. Drivers misjudge how fast a motorcycle is coming.
- 083 crashes
US-101 Southbound & SR-92
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.
- 093 crashes
US-101 & Poplar Avenue
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.
- 103 crashes
US-101 From 3rd Avenue & 3rd Avenue
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.
Motorcycle crashes in San Mateo by year
| Year | Crashes | Serious/fatal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 24 | 3 | |
| 2023 | 26 | 5 | |
| 2024 | 18 | 4 | |
| 2025 | 22 | 5 |
Common questions about San Mateo
- Where do the most motorcycle crashes happen in San Mateo?
- The worst spot is US-101 & Peninsula Ave, with 8 reported motorcycle crashes from 2021–2025, 2 of them serious or fatal. Next are US-101 & SR-92 (4) and US-101 & SR-92 (7).
- How many motorcyclists were killed in San Mateo?
- 1 crash killed someone in 105 reported motorcycle crashes in San Mateo from 2021–2025, and 19 left someone seriously hurt or killed.
- How do motorcyclists usually crash in San Mateo?
- 22% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip. 10% involved a car turning left across the rider. 19% happened after dark.
- How many motorcycle crashes happen in San Mateo each year?
- Reported motorcycle crashes with map locations: 2021: 15, 2022: 24, 2023: 26, 2024: 18, 2025: 22. 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 San Mateo
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.