This is the letter I'm drafting:

Hello Ladies,

I am a huge fan of xxx Satellite Radio (my name is used in xxx's promotional material - just ask xxx about me.) I have, and will continue to promote xxx in print and online. I've also become a new fan of your show. I found that my views paralleled yours, and I've laughed so hard I thought I would have to pull over to be safe.

However, I was appalled at the turn in your show on Wednesday, August 21. You were talking about people on Multi-use Paths (MUPs) who take up the whole path, don't yield right-of-way, and are just downright rude. The conversation turned to bashing cyclists. I am a cyclist and board member of Sorella Cycling (www.SorellaCycling.com) which is a club with over 145 women of all ages and abilities. You mentioned many things that are either just plain wrong, or even illegal.

In most cities, it is illegal for cyclists to ride on sidewalks. We don't just have the right to be on the road, we have no choice. In many locations, it is too dangerous for cyclists to use the paths. There are too many joggers, rollerbladers, strollers, dog-walkers, and small children to make it safe for all parties. As a jogger, I'm sure you wouldn't want to negotiate a path with all the obstructions you've already observed in addition to a line of cyclists going 15-25 mph. We are all much safer if the cyclists stick to the road.

You also mentioned that you are frustrated when a cyclist is as far out in the road as your right wheel. Again, in almost every state, that is the law. The laws are clear that we need to stay as far to the right "as is safely allowed." We can be in the lane when there is no shoulder, when the debris on the side makes riding there a lethal prospect, or when the pavement is too rough. God forbid, we can even take the whole lane when we feel it would be unsafe for a driver to attempt to pass us. Cyclists can even ride two abreast in many locations. We are not all rude, arrogant athletes. Quite a few of us are ordinary women, trying to get to work, trying to exercise to stay healthy, or just trying to have some fun.

Why bother writing to you? As cyclists, and as women, we have to fight everyday against aggressive drivers who are ignorant of the law. We hear so many stories about cyclists being killed by cars who were ignorant of the law. We are regularly intentionally run off the road, we have trash thrown at us, and we are yelled at and honked at. We've had people throw down tacks that flat our tires, but also cause horrific crashes. It is just unacceptable to incite this type of behavior.

We need heroes, not women throwing fuel on the fire.

Sincerely,