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Heat Leading To More Bay Area Motorcycle Accidents?

SAN JOSE (KCBS) - The unusually warm September weather has more and more commuters taking their motorcycles to work.

And for commuters on Tuesday morning, that meant dealing with an unusual number of motorcycle accidents in the region.

Nearly a dozen accidents on Bay Area roadways on Tuesday morning involved motorcycles.

KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:

CHP Sergeant Trent Cross said the nice weather tends to bring more motorcyclists out.

"The weather is nice. Instead of taking their vehicle, they would rather ride their motorcycle to work," Cross said. "It's just important that they do it in a safe manner and make sure to have on the proper safety gear while riding a motorcycle."

One motorcyclist was killed early Tuesday morning on Highway 87 in San Jose. The CHP said he lost control of his bike, fell off and was struck by a car.

Chris Harden, a longtime motorcycle rider, said you have to be hyper-tuned into the road to be on a bike.

"If you have to swerve for a piece of lumber and there's a car in the way, there's a lot of factors," he said. "You really have to be looking ahead. You're not going for a ride."

The CHP is also reminding commuters to look out for motorcycle riders who might be splitting the lanes, which is legal in California.

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