Motorcycle crash hotspots in South Lake Tahoe, CA
- motorcycle crashes, 2021–2025
- 37
- motorcycle crashes, 2021–2025
- serious or fatal
- 4
- serious or fatal
- fatal
- 0
- fatal
Is South Lake Tahoe 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: 37 motorcycle crashes were reported in South Lake Tahoe from 2021–2025, 4 of them serious or fatal. The most were at Lake Tahoe Blvd & Fairway Ave (5). 49% involved a car turning left across the rider. 19% happened after dark.
How motorcyclists crash in South Lake Tahoe
- 49% 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.
- 015 crashes
Lake Tahoe Blvd & Fairway Ave
Side-impact crashes at the junction
3 of 5 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. Traffic is posted at about 40 mph.
- 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.
- Traffic is fast here: at this speed you cross a junction in about a second, so scan early.
- 024 crashes
Lake Tahoe Blvd & Ski Run Blvd
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 40 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.
- 033 crashes
Lake Tahoe Blvd & Park Ave
Riders hit from behind
2 of 3 crashes were rear-end: hit from behind.
- Check your mirrors when slowing, flash your brake light, and leave an escape gap when you stop in traffic.
- 043 crashes
Pioneer Trl & Midway Rd
A mix of crash types
67% happened after dark.
- 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.
Motorcycle crashes in South Lake Tahoe by year
| Year | Crashes | Serious/fatal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 14 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 7 | 2 |
Common questions about South Lake Tahoe
- Where do the most motorcycle crashes happen in South Lake Tahoe?
- The worst spot is Lake Tahoe Blvd & Fairway Ave, with 5 reported motorcycle crashes from 2021–2025. Next are Lake Tahoe Blvd & Ski Run Blvd (4) and Lake Tahoe Blvd & Park Ave (3).
- How many motorcyclists were killed in South Lake Tahoe?
- No deaths were reported in 37 reported motorcycle crashes in South Lake Tahoe from 2021–2025, and 4 left someone seriously hurt or killed.
- How do motorcyclists usually crash in South Lake Tahoe?
- 49% involved a car turning left across the rider. 19% happened after dark.
- How many motorcycle crashes happen in South Lake Tahoe each year?
- Reported motorcycle crashes with map locations: 2021: 3, 2022: 8, 2023: 5, 2024: 14, 2025: 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. Only crashes reported with map coordinates are counted, so the real totals are higher.
Places to ride to near South Lake Tahoe
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.