We need to act now! (serious)
I just read the following post on the Chicago Triathlon Club's website and found it very disturbing, as will all of you:
http://www.chicagotriclub.com/msgbds...eneral&Id=2634
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Date: 7/11/2003 9:53:00 PM
Author: Al S
Subject: Anti biking DJ's - you'll want to act on this
I don't know if anyone else has read the following email from Lois Cowan - Co-owner, Century Cycles that was posted on truesport.com, but you may want to take notice.
On Wednesday, July 2nd, the morning radio show on [Cleveland] WMJI-Majic 105 read an e-mail from a listener saying that bicycles should not be on the roads in the Cleveland Metroparks. At least one of the DJs told listeners who were in cars to do things like:
- speed past the bike, pull back into the lane and slam on your brakes.
- speed past the bike, have your passenger open their door and put on the brakes.
- yell and/or honk at all cyclists as you pass in your car.
- throw things like cans or rolls of pennies out your window at cyclists.
Apparently, there was a caller who said that what they were telling people to do was wrong. The caller tried to explain that bicycles are allowed on the roads and are vehicles just like cars. From what I understand, the DJs made fun of the caller and didn't take her comments seriously.
I contacted one of the DJs, Jimmy Malone, about the content of the program. He said that he would try to get "the other side of the story" on Thursday's show and I agreed to be interviewed.
My interview started with me explaining that bicycles are allowed on the roadways and why some cyclists don't use the multi-purpose trails in the Metroparks. During the "interview", I was repeatedly and relentlessly called a buffoon, idiot, clueless, pms-sufferer, couldn't take a joke, didn't understand satire and stupid.
For the remaining three hours of their "show", they took calls from listeners and further encouraged drivers to do whatever it takes to get cyclists off the roads. Callers who agreed with their viewpoints were awarded a gift certificate to a local restaurant.
They aired loads of people who called in to say that they agreed that bicyclists are basically moving targets. I heard of only one person that said they felt that their "jokes" were wrong. I was left wonderring if they were just putting the ignorant people on the air or (as they said) did no cyclists call in with their opinion?
On Monday, July 7, they were again making comments about bicycles being on the roadways. The biggest offender, Chip Kullik, again said he pulls
over and opens his doors into cyclists.
We need every single person who rides a bike to call or e-mail the Federal Communications Commission, the station, Clear Channel Communications and the Cleveland Metroparks to say that the program during these two mornings is wrong. It is DEAD wrong if someone is killed because the radio station spent over four hours "joking" about swerving into cyclists, throwing things at riders, honking, yelling, or passing and then slamming on your brakes.
Please take a few moments to call, write or e-mail any or all of the following:
Federal Communications Commission
Enforcement Bureau
445 12th St SW
Washington, DC 20554
phone 202-418-7450
fax 202-418-2810
complaints-enf@fcc.gov
go to www.wmji.com to e-mail the Program Manager
Dave Popovich and/or Jim Meltzer
WMJI
6200 Oak Tree Blvd
Independence, OH 44131-6933
DavePopovich@clearchannel.com
JimMeltzer@clearchannel.com
Clear Channel Communications, head offices, San Antonio,
Director of Public Relations - lisadollinger@clearchannel.com
John Hogan, CEO
Clear Channel Radio
200 East Basse Rd
San Antonio, TX 78209
johnhogan@clearchannel.com
Bob Rotatori-PR Manager
Cleveland Metroparks
4101 Fulton Parkway
Cleveland, Ohio 44144
216-351-6300 ext. 3263
Someone needs to stand up against this aggressive and selfish behavior that some motorists feel against bicyclists in the Metroparks and on the roadways. We need to educate the public, both motorists and cyclists, about the correct rules of the road.
Please copy me on any e-mails or letters that you send. I can be reached at:
lois@centurycycles.com
phone 440-519-0006
fax 440-519-0079
Lois Cowan
Co-owner
Century Cycles
33351 Aurora Rd
Solon, OH 44139
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Sorry this is long, but a step in the right direction
Due to a flood of e-mails, phone calls and letters, Clear Channel Communications in Cleveland has agreed to help correct the wrongs that their broadcasts caused last week.
Negotiations are underway and Clear Channel has agreed to the following:
- Public Service Announcements on all six of their stations in the northern Ohio market.
- Donating a substantial amount of money toward local bicycling causes.
- Helping with programs and events such as Safe Routes to School.
- Supporting and promoting the America Bikes agenda with politicians.
- Public apologies from those DJs who offended all of us with their anti-bicycling comments.
AS OF TODAY, FRIDAY JULY 11th, WE CAN STOP E-MAILING COMPLAINTS ABOUT THEIR REPREHENSIBLE BROADCASTS.
Thank you for your quick responses! It's great to see freedom of speech used in a positive way.
Lois Cowan
Century Cycles
Cleveland, Ohio
