General Cycling Discussion - KLOL in Houston recommends running cyclists off the road

This was sent to me by a friend in Houston. Seems that the local morning DJ's don't think too much of cyclists.



Walton and Johnson urging motorists to hit cyclists

If you ride, you must be aware of what two of our local radio
personalities are propagating over the airwaves. BikeHouston and the City of Houston Bikeway Program are confirming the conversation broadcast and are calling Clear Channel. Please take a minute read the following and to contact Clear Channel Communications to voice your disgust and consider boycotting their advertisers. Note: GHORBA has donated over $1,200 to the Clear Channel Santa Letters program the last two Christmas seasons. Some respect to cyclists is the least they can do.

Here is the actual excerpt from a recent broadcast. Prepare to be
outraged.

Walton: "I hate those guys in their gay little bike shorts and stupid looking pointy helmets. They're always in my way. I'm telling ya, I'm gonna tap one of you guys. You keep getting in my way with your stupid looking pointy helmets... and I drive big car. I'm gonna have to give one of em' a little tap. Send him to the ditch"

Mr. Kenneth, the "gay" character: "Oh and I'll come visit you in jail. Ohh!"

Billy Ed the redneck character (the same person as the gay one): "Just knock em' off the road."

Walton: "Really, these guys don't have the right of way. You don't have the right of way. Just keep off the road for the real forms of transportation, automobiles, and we'll all be fine. Keep out of my way and I won't have to run you over"

This was followed up with several Texas and LA rednecks calling up to confirm their hatred for cyclists and their desire to see cyclists hurt, run over, humiliated and punished by rogue law enforcement.

If you think this is terribly clever of them and you agree then you're probably not on our email list! If so inclined, you might consider dripping these guys an email and letting them know that you take issue with the suggest that cyclists should be targetted by their listeners.

Thanks,

David

http://www.klol.com/wandj.html

I looked up a contact phone number on the KLOL website and spoke with Vince Richards(?), the program director, and he confirmed that that conversation did take place on the air and was rather flippant about it.

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html - FCC website

lisadollinger@clearchannel.com - Clear Channel's Public Relations Director

http://www.klol.com/email-vince.html - Send an e-mail to Vince, the program director @ KLOL or call, fax or regular mail them http://www.klol.com/contact.html

I'll be jotting off an email to Clear Channel, the FCC and this Vince guy, as well as contacting their website.

Thanks for the info.

Koffee

Ignorant A-holes... I hope they get canned

we're still trying to verify what exactly was said. although i do know a couple of people who did listen to the broadcast and they verified that it was pretty much what the email says. we have some people trying to get transcrips.
there are also several groups trying to create as much noise as possible and i will probably be part of the group that stages a protest "ride" around the station lycra et al.

Originally posted by The Toninator

there are also several groups trying to create as much noise as possible and i will probably be part of the group that stages a protest "ride" around the station lycra et al.

Hey Tony if you can give me a 24 hour heads up on the "ride" I will be there.

Some folks over here are trying to find out the local sponsers of the show, in order to boycott them. You know hit W & J where it hurts the pocket book.

Purple Hayes thanks for reposting this, I posted it yesterday but guess it got lost in the melt down.

Any way you could also contact your Critical Mass and let them know what's up? Do you have a city bike federation you can contact regarding this too?

Also, I would strongly advise writing a letter to the editor of your most popular newspaper too.

If I lived in your area, I'd be there!

Koffee

Has anyone contacted the Texas Bicycle Coalition
or some of the other large organizations?

I have no problem with morning jocks pushing the
envelop, however this is actually inciting the rednecks
and bubbas who reside in our state to wreak havoc
on the roads.

I will be writing to Clear Channel, the shows sponsors (if
I can figure out who they are), and may look into writing
to texas legislature.

Marty

How about getting some poor southern whites to object to sereotyping as rednecks. That stereotype is at least as pernicious as any other.

Originally posted by FOG
How about getting some poor southern whites to object to sereotyping as rednecks. That stereotype is at least as pernicious as any other.

I feel ya buddy. I used to yell and scream about this all the time. but idiots who stereotype are just that idiots and nothing we say is going to change that.
And yes I consider myself "a good ole boy redneck" more or less.

Sounds like very poor judgement on the part of those DJs in an attempt to get laughs and ratings. At least an apology is in order. I notice some local DJs in So Cal are pretty loose with their talk, and when people complain they just say its a joke and don't take it so serious. Seems like a total lack of accountability with some radio shows now days.

I'm originally from Houston, and all I can say is, that at this point, I'm very, very ashamed :eek: .......

This is the second time a Clear Channel station has pulled a stunt like this. A couple of years ago, two DJs on a San Jose area station advocated "dooring" bicyclists and motorcyclists. They were suspended for a week, then forced to make appropriate public-service traffic safety announcements. Since this is the second offense for the network, a stiffer set of penalties is in order. Since this is irresponsible use of the public airwaves, I would not mind seeing the FCC yank their license, but I seriously doubt this would ever happen.

By the way, I just sent a complaint letter to the FCC, and I urge everyone reading this thread to do likewise.

Originally posted by purple hayes
I looked up a contact phone number on the KLOL website and spoke with Vince Richards(?), the program director, and he confirmed that that conversation did take place on the air and was rather flippant about it.
Of course... the station probably views this as free publicity for a station that's Arbitron rated #14 in a market of 23 FM stations. This station has a long history of employing Howard Stern wannabes in the morning so this is nothing new.

Guys,
Walton & Johnson is like a comedy morning talk show. It is done by two guys but one of the guy changes his voice to represent 3 different people( a gay guy named Kenneth, a black guy named Mr. O, and a country guy guy named Billy Ed). I listen every morning and heard the exact conversation concerning bikers. They bring up controversial subjects just to joke around with all the time. Trust me, what they were talking about concerning bikers was very tame considering other topics they have mentioned before. Anyways, I am a biker and found the topic to be funny that day, you just have to hear it instead of reading some e-mail where the sarcasm of the discussion is not portrayed.

Also, its pretty funny how the e-mail is blatantly showing bias against the show. First off every caller was not against bikers. There were quite a few calls by bikers making their own relevant points. Secondly, Mr. Kenneth was pro-biker so to speak. This is typically how the show goes. They bring up a topic and all the different types of people Walton & Johnson represent have their differing views. There is always one person way left on a topic and another way right on the same topic. One of the remaining two may say a little hear and there. During this particular conversation Mr. O didn't have to much to say hehe:)

What were the riders saying?

Were they agreeing with the DJ's?

What a couple of shmucks. And not to mention the anti-gay slurs as well. They may very well have been trying to be funny and didn't intend for anyone to take them seriously, but if someone does follow their advice and runs some cyclist off the road, they are in deep doodoo! I'm all for freedom of speech and the press, but this was utterly irresponsible. Advocating violence against anyone is just wrong. What's next? "hey, let's go out and **** women!" or "hey, let's all go and have a lynching!"

Originally posted by FOG
How about getting some poor southern whites to object to sereotyping as rednecks. That stereotype is at least as pernicious as any other.


I hear ya man!

Well, watch out if some biker gets run off the road deliberately and it turns out the criminal says he listened to that show.

Talk about a big lawsuit!

Bob

Squawking to the radio station will only make it worse. The announcers are glad to get the noise.

The very best thing we can do is to complain to the companies that advertise on the show.

Would somebody who lives in Houston please let us know some of the companies that advertise on the show. If they are local companies, it would be helpful to know the address and/or phone so we can call their marketing departments.

Heck, lets just shoot the DJ's and call it even ;)

Would somebody who lives in Houston please let us know some of the companies that advertise on the show. If they are local companies, it would be helpful to know the address and/or phone so we can call their marketing departments.

Just about every stripclub in Houston would be a good place to start lol.

Originally posted by mike
Squawking to the radio station will only make it worse. The announcers are glad to get the noise.

I agree wholeheatedly. These guys are just trolling. A response will only encourage them. If you want to contact anyone, go over the station's head and contact the relevant media regulator. Either way, contacting the station is just the impact these trolls are hoping for. Why give them the satisfaction?

The problem is Houston has had a bad spate of cyclists deaths-by-car lately. The last thing KLOL needed to do was feed the anti-bike groups. I sent e-mails to the FCC, Clear Channel and the KLOL program director. I live 2 miles south of Houston, and work in Houston. I'd love to commute but don't dare! I've got a family to be here for. I shouldn't have to factor what my possible death-by-car would do to my family into my decision to commute or not. The worst part about it is the "Oh well it happened again" attitude of the media in town. Shameful.

I can understand that the intent was probably just harmless joking but we all know there are plenty of dumb people out there. Please bare witness to the likes of those that end up on Jackass the Movie who will gleen some inspiration from thoughtless humour and eventually end up pushing over some priest out for a Sunday ride.

You know - I am a huge supporter of free speech. Insults don't bother me. They are just one person holding up a sign that says "Hey - I'm a Big *******" I appreciate the warning and avoid them as appropriate. What I think goes over the line is an incitement to harm others. This is dangerously close to the prime example of yelling fire in a crowded movie theater. Better yet, what if they had made these same comments about the President of the United States when he is out on a jog? Why are cyclists any more appropriate target for threatening speech?

Originally posted by CycleNaut
Better yet, what if they had made these same comments about the President of the United States when he is out on a jog? Why are cyclists any more appropriate target for threatening speech?

I think you just highlighted the big flaw in the "freedom of speech" argument. Everyone wants freedom of speech until they, themselves become a target. I wonder what would happen if I made a public comment about fire-bombing the radio station in question while these jerks were on air?

John, thanks for posting this.


Originally posted by Justin M.
Walton & Johnson is like a comedy morning talk show.
I listen every morning and heard the exact conversation concerning bikers.
Trust me, what they were talking about concerning bikers was very tame considering other topics they have mentioned before. Anyways, I am a biker and found the topic to be funny that day, you just have to hear it instead of reading some e-mail where the sarcasm of the discussion is not portrayed.
I for one don't like this kind of "comedy". Too many cyclists have been injured or killed by some jerk in a car who thinks he owns the road and that cyclists should ride somewhere else. And who knows, maybe some jerk heard this and thought the DJs were being serious.

Let's be realistic, there are just those people who hate cyclists. I was on the bus once, and the bus driver was sort of irritated by the cyclist and block him off totally, the cyclist was unable to pass until the bus left. It is just quite rude, but not totally the driver's fault. The cyclist was moving rather slowly and he just was rather afraid of the road, weaving into the bus stop and out because he was afraid for his safety. The other time round, a Mercedes taxi driver did the same thing to me, most obviously on purpose. He weaved far away from me and back in again, blocking me totally and he was so close to the curb his tyre was almost rubbing against the curb.

My mother has always been worried about me cycling, telling me to be weary of the drivers. I think it is typical for drivers to hate us, we don't pay for road tax, we are only the small proportion of road users. I don't think they care much.

To make things worse, I can't imagine the radio station creating havoc. It will most likely result in much trouble for cyclists at the least. I think we as cyclists are more sensitive to things around us? We look weird with those cycling shorts, we wear a rather dumb helmet and we get looks from other people. We tend to notice the smaller details because there is a need to, like respecting other road users, thanking them if they are courteous etc. A small part of this world yet a big heart for the world I would say.

Originally posted by Justin M.
Guys,
Walton & Johnson is like a comedy morning talk show. It is done by two guys but one of the guy changes his voice to represent 3 different people( a gay guy named Kenneth, a black guy named Mr. O, and a country guy guy named Billy Ed). I listen every morning and heard the exact conversation concerning bikers. They bring up controversial subjects just to joke around with all the time. Trust me, what they were talking about concerning bikers was very tame considering other topics they have mentioned before. Anyways, I am a biker and found the topic to be funny that day, you just have to hear it instead of reading some e-mail where the sarcasm of the discussion is not portrayed.
I've listened to the show in the past too and yes they make fun of EVERYBODY but they were advocating violence against cyclist. If they advocated violence against gays, black people (Chinese, Mexican or whatever) it would be a major issue. One step beyond that was allowing their ignorant hate breed audience on the air to perpetuate the avocation violence against cyclist too. VERY irresponsible. I personally have not sent any letters out yet until I can verify in whole what was said because the dj’s are totally un-pc.

Originally posted by lotek
Has anyone contacted the Texas Bicycle Coalition
or some of the other large organizations?

I have no problem with morning jocks pushing the
envelop, however this is actually inciting the rednecks
and bubbas who reside in our state to wreak havoc
on the roads.

I will be writing to Clear Channel, the shows sponsors (if
I can figure out who they are), and may look into writing
to texas legislature.

Marty


from the 'vine' none of the major organizations will touch it until they can verify beyond a doubt what was said on the show, i don’t blame them.

These two DJs sound like a real pair of prize winning jerks. We have the same sort in Detroit. I call them the "laughing hyenas", with apologies to any actual hyenas within earshot.

The only solution to a problem like this is to reach for the ON/OFF switch and move it firmly to the OFF position. If enough folks do this, the jerks just disappear altogether. I have found that peace and quiet has an appeal all it's own.

Dan
Well on my way to being a curmudgeon.

Originally posted by wabbit
They may very well have been trying to be funny and didn't intend for anyone to take them seriously, but if someone does follow their advice and runs some cyclist off the road, they are in deep doodoo!
In the 1930's, on Halloween, Orson Wells did a realistic radio show based on H. G. Well's story, "War of the Worlds." It was only a story, but it was so realistic that many people who did not read the advertisement thought Martians had really attacked and were destroying American cities. Some actually committed suicide.

A joke is a joke, but once you get on the air, you have a bigger responsibility.

I think a large part of the problem here is the
whole "texas" thing, we have a bad enough reputation
without these yokels inciting more mayhem.
see this thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27451&highlight=dallas

then read what Lance said in his upcoming book
Every Second Counts about texas truck drivers

. . .Over the years, I've been run off the road by too many pickups and rock trucks to count. Texas truck drivers hate cyclists; we have an ongoing war with them on the state byways. I've been blown into ditches, hit by stones, and threatened with tire irons. . .

I have no problem with comedy, freedom of speech etc. but
its totally irresponsible to suggest that we be run off the road
just because we are there.

Marty

Boy, am I going to get flamed for this but I agree that cyclists should not ride on roads designed for cars, trucks and motorcycles. Bicyclists are too vulnerable to serious injury and are too slow to keep the traffic flow moving at an adequate pace. Cyclists are a menace on roadways and only motorized vehicles should be allowed on them. Next time you are driving on the interstate, take notice of that sign that says "Minimum Speed 45 mph". It's there for a reason. Besides the potholes and ruts in the roads where I drive are too dangerous for even full suspension mountainbikes.

And don't get mad at motorists for taking this viewpoint. Blame your state highway department for not providing adequate bike lanes.

Hope we can still be friends.

Rob

P.S. Numerous drivers tell me they will intentionally run me off the road if they see me riding my bike there. They are kidding. Most of them anyway.

Originally posted by tbobby
Boy, am I going to get flamed for this

Yup. Let me start. :D

If motorists would only PAY ATTENTION while in the act of driving, cyclists would not be an issue @ all. This would also solve many of the other issues on today's road, but I digress.

Also FYI, cycling is not permitted on the Interstate where the 45mph minimum speed is posted. Hey, we all don't have the speed of Cippo! :p

Tbobby,

No, I'm not going to flame you.
however (saw that one coming didn't you?)
according to uniform vehicle code in almost all states
Bicycles are considered vehicles and thus afforded all
rights to the road.
That said, I don't think anyone is advocating going for a nice
leisurely ride down interstate 10.
On the majority of roads there is sufficient room for
traffic to safely pass cyclists.
I do take offense at motorists who feel that we (cyclists)
have no right to be on the roads, next we can bring up
the whole tax issue but hey, I pay taxes too even when
I'm riding a bike.
Yes the highway departments do share some of the blame,
but not only for the lack of bike lanes etc. but for
failing to educate motor vehicle drivers concerning bikes,
the law etc. I also fault
the police for not enforcing the laws and often citing the
cyclist and not the drivers of motor vehicles.

I agree, if you are not comfortable riding on the road
stay off of them until you do feel confident riding with traffic.

Just my .02 worth

good luck with the nomex suit.
Marty

Originally posted by tbobby
Boy, am I going to get flamed for this but I agree that cyclists should not ride on roads designed for cars, trucks and motorcycles. .

what other kind of roads are there?

Originally posted by tbobby
Next time you are driving on the interstate, take notice of that sign that says "Minimum Speed 45 mph". It's there for a reason. Besides the potholes and ruts in the roads where I drive are too dangerous for even full suspension mountainbikes.

you are not allowed to ride on the interstate and in places that there is a minimum speed limit

Originally posted by The Toninator
you are not allowed to ride on the interstate and in places that there is a minimum speed limit

It depends on where you are...

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/Closed_Routes.htm


These are the current sections of state highways closed to bicycling (subject to change). All other sections of state highways and interstate highways are open to bicycling.

True

I spoke with "Chris" the producer for the Walton & Johnson Show this morning. He seemed to think that motorists going after cyclists is funny. In fact he couldn't figure why I didn't think it was funny!!!

Communicating with these guys is going to be difficult.

Chris the Walton & Johnson Show producer confirmed to me on the phone this AM that there was a segment on the Monday 6/30 show dealing with running over cyclists and the segment was considered by management to be very funny. They sure have strange senses of humor!!!!!

Clearchannel has stations all over the place. They yanked the only rock station in my area and replaced it with a yahoo chat station. What was really crummy about it was they didn't even tell any of the DJ's. The morning crew came in one day and were told they weren't working anymore and sent them home. Then the local jazz station which played all kinds of jazz including many excellent local bands(the DJ's could pick what they played) switched to a "playlist" that was found to be popular according to research. Said research was done by a division of Clearchannel. The best part of that was the day before the playlist went into effect the DJ's played mostly local bands and gave Clearchannel executives emails out over the air. They told everbody to write and *****. The execs were flooded with email and fired the DJ's. The hell with Clearchannel, I won't listen to their stations anymore.

zinger do i know you?

Originally posted by Zinger61
I spoke with "Chris" the producer for the Walton & Johnson Show this morning. He seemed to think that motorists going after cyclists is funny. In fact he couldn't figure why I didn't think it was funny!!!

Communicating with these guys is going to be difficult.

Perhaps he needs to be shown this story (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/96410_pastor20.shtml)

Originally posted by khuon
Perhaps he needs to be shown this story (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/96410_pastor20.shtml)

Yup. Last year, we had a remarkably similar situation in La Jolla. A multiyear driver's license suspension should be part of the proposed sentence.

This is just what is needed, make them responsible for their actions.
I have had things thrown at me and more slurs than can be named just for riding! I had a old white pickup truck cross the yellow line, into my lane yesterday evening. I think he was just trying to scare me even though I didn't realize untill he was past that he was trying to scare me!

I may be dressed in lacra and loud jersey, but I'm a redneck at heart. Just because I'm not dressed in cammo and driving a PU with a big ATV in the back I appear to be a weeney? I swear if I could get my hands on some of the SOBs that have pulled stunts to me around here I would be in jail for, as we say in the south, BEATING THE HE11 out of someone!!!!:eek:

Maby next week these DJ jerks can make jokes about taking pot shots at SUV's on the same highways! I wonder how many calls that would get?:confused:

Originally posted by tbobby
... cyclists should not ride on roads designed for cars, trucks and motorcycles. ... Cyclists are a menace on roadways and only motorized vehicles should be allowed on them. Next time you are driving on the interstate, take notice of that sign that says "Minimum Speed 45 mph". It's there for a reason. ...

And don't get mad at motorists for taking this viewpoint. Blame your state highway department for not providing adequate bike lanes.

Please clarify your position and your statement.
1) In what way is a cyclist, rather than a motorist, a menace?
2) If I ride in a bike lane or a wide curb lane, am I not riding "on roads designed for cars, trucks, and motorcycles"?
3) Did you really mean to say that bicycles should not be operated on high speed shoulderless roads with narrow outside lanes? This would be a more tenable argument than your original statement. I try to select my routes to avoid ever having to take the lane in 45mph or faster traffic, but sometimes there is no other option.
4) In California, bicycles are allowed on the shoulders of designated stretches of interstate highways, when there is no reasonable alternative. Some of these wide, flat, well-maintained shoulders are among the safest places we can ride on-road, even though freeways are almost exclusively "designed for cars, trucks, and motorcycles."
5) Under California law, the default maximum speed limit in residential neighborhoods and central business districts is 25mph. In these areas, particuarly where on-street parking is permitted, bike lanes are counterproductive, and the safest way to cycle is to integrate oneself into the traffic stream by taking the appropriate lane.

I think that cars have more of a right to be on the road than bikes because: 1. roads are designed to specifically handle automobile traffic
2. more people prefer to travel by car than by bike
3. bikes slow cars down unnecessarily
4. cars squash bikes almost every time

If a cyclist is causing automotive traffic to alter their driving patterns by either slowing down or changing lanes that cyclist is both inconsiderate and dangerous.