Motorcycle crash hotspots in San Rafael, CA
- motorcycle crashes, 2021–2025
- 58
- motorcycle crashes, 2021–2025
- serious or fatal
- 16
- serious or fatal
- fatal
- 2
- fatal
Is San Rafael 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: 58 motorcycle crashes were reported in San Rafael from 2021–2025, 16 of them serious or fatal (2 fatal). The most were at US-101 Northbound & Second Street (4). 28% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip. 19% involved a car turning left across the rider.
How motorcyclists crash in San Rafael
- 28% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip.
- 19% involved a car turning left across the rider.
- 34% happened after dark.
Where motorcycle crashes cluster
Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.
- 014 crashes · 2 serious or fatal · 1 fatal
US-101 Northbound & Second Street
Close passes and cars turning alongside
2 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 55 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.
- 024 crashes · 1 serious or fatal · 1 fatal
Us101 & I-580
Riders hit from behind
2 of 4 crashes were rear-end: hit from behind. 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.
- Traffic is fast here: at this speed you cross a junction in about a second, so scan early.
- 034 crashes · 2 serious or fatal
Lincoln Av & 3rd St
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 55 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.
- 044 crashes · 2 serious or fatal
2nd St & East St
Side-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. 50% happened after dark.
- 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.
- Wear bright or reflective gear and use your high beam where you can.
- 053 crashes · 1 serious or fatal
US-101 & Linden Ln
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. Traffic is posted at about 55 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.
Motorcycle crashes in San Rafael by year
| Year | Crashes | Serious/fatal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 16 | 5 | |
| 2023 | 12 | 3 | |
| 2024 | 13 | 4 | |
| 2025 | 8 | 3 |
Common questions about San Rafael
- Where do the most motorcycle crashes happen in San Rafael?
- The worst spot is US-101 Northbound & Second Street, with 4 reported motorcycle crashes from 2021–2025, 2 of them serious or fatal. Next are Us101 & I-580 (4) and Lincoln Av & 3rd St (4).
- How many motorcyclists were killed in San Rafael?
- 2 crashes killed someone in 58 reported motorcycle crashes in San Rafael from 2021–2025, and 16 left someone seriously hurt or killed.
- How do motorcyclists usually crash in San Rafael?
- 28% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip. 19% involved a car turning left across the rider. 34% happened after dark.
- How many motorcycle crashes happen in San Rafael each year?
- Reported motorcycle crashes with map locations: 2021: 9, 2022: 16, 2023: 12, 2024: 13, 2025: 8. 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. 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.