eric von zipper

Ok, so I have a friend that works for a local TV station and she's working on a story about alternative transportation. She's asked me to do an on-air interview about commuting and bicycle safety. I'm trying to get some other cyclist to do it, but the interview is tomorrow and I'm sure it's too short, time wise, for someone to do it. Anyway, I really don't want to do it, but I feel like I should because she's a good friend. So, If you were to be interviewed, what are some points you'd make sure you'd hit. Here are some things that come to mind: Hand signals, Eye contact with drivers, drivers should give at least 3 feet when passing a cyclists, cyclists should obey traffic laws as do drivers, lights if you ride late in the evening or at night, helmets, need for more bike lanes, errr...?

swwhite

Don't seem odd in any way.

Point out the in other countries thousands, or tens of thousands, use bicycles every day for personal transportation. It seems like an "alternative" here in the US only because so few do it, but really, for short trips in nice weather, it's "appropriate technology," much more appropriate than having to haul a 3.000-pound piece of motorized heavy equipment along with you, and then store it temporarily, just to go to the drug store for a bottle of aspirin.

Riding a bicycle on the public streets should be no big deal, either for automobile drivers or for bicyclists, if everyone just follows the rules that we all had to learn to get licensed to use the streets in automobiles. Bicyclists could do a major job of promoting cycling as transportation by just that one act, following the well-known and well-defined rules of the road. That would also be a major promoter of safety, since a lot of "accidents" occur at places like intersections, where rules and procedures dictate who does what and when.

A person without any source of illumination, in dark clothing, on the street at night, is practically invisible. Car headlights don't show him. Try it and see for yourself. An unlit person on the road does not understand how invisible he is. LIghts and reflectors are absolutely required for safety.

There are a few people who just "don't like" bicycles. They must realize that a person is allowed to use a bicycle on the public streets, and that there could be many reasons why a person is riding a bicycle, other than just to annoy drivers. He could be patriotic by using less oil, he could be handicapped in some way that precludes driving, he could be poor, his car might be in the shop, his teenage daughter might be using the car, he might be going only a few blocks...one could go on. If a bicyclist is following the traffic rules as he should, all a driver has to do is the same thing he would do if he ended up behind a slow-moving tractor; move left and go around, and never see the bicycle again. It takes five seconds.

savethekudzu

Don't scare people. And make a point of smiling!

Realize, too, that you may have a lot of things you want to say, but the reporter/editor/producer will only allow a few brief seconds of your remarks on the air no matter how good they are.

bokes

I would try to see this as a great opportunity. You probably feel a bit nervous now, but after the interview you'll feel good about making a contribution to cycling.

I think the subject of bicycle safety is a good reminder for drivers, but unfortunately the subject is a bit boring. If you can, I'd try to shift the focus into trying to convince people to give cycling a try.
I'd talk about why cars are bad: 1. Americans are too fat, 2. More people die in accidents than in wars, 3. Much oil revenue winds up in hands of bad people. 4. Bad for environment 5. Oil promotes war
Then you could recommend to people how to get started. How to ride to work (it's not that hard), how to find a bike that fits, how to avoid frustration by gradually building skills and fitness.
I think a lot of beginners get on a bike, try to do too much, they get that ugly feeling in their legs, they feel miserable, and they give up. I think it's key that people start slow, on the flats, take baby steps and keep it enjoyable. To avoid feeling crummy on the bike one need to drink enough water, eat enough, stay within one's fitness limits, and maybe stick to the MUPs until they feel comfortable with cars.
We'll that's my suggestion.
let us know how it goes and when the show will appear
good luck!

savethekudzu

This is good - something simple, short, and story-telling. If you can tell the story of how you got started and became comfortable with bike commuting in ten to fifteen seconds (without making the experience sound exhausting or dangerous or abnormal), that has a good chance of being aired.

MIKEnDC

Lots of good stuff here. Bear in mind too, especially when you see the interview later, that you'll probably be able to say lots more than the editors will decide to air. Some of what you think was most important may slide right by the editors/producers. They're thinking about what will make a good "show."

One thing I would add to what others have said is that when one switches from using a car to using a bike (or bus, train, etc.) the pace of progress is different. You have to allow yourself the realistic amount of time to get places. It's an adjustment that one has to make, but once made helps a great deal in using a bike for more than just "recreation." For a lot of people, using a bike all the time isn't practical for their lifestyle. But for those who can, they probably should whenever it makes sense. And in doing so, they might find that it makes sense for much more than they might think going in.

BarracksSi

It's on-air, so there won't be any editing, right?

If you can -- and especially since you know her -- get her questions NOW. Even if you can't, figure out some answers that are only a sentence or two long, with an option to extend or clarify in just another couple sentences.

And don't keep saying, "...and it's a great way to stay in shape."

(there was a gag on a Family Guy episode with Ridesatenspeedeverywhere Guy in a TV interview)

eric von zipper

Sorry, my TV jargon isn't up to par. It's not live; it'll be taped and edited. And thanks for all the advice so far.

Alfster 

That's a great opportunity Eric. I was interviewed a couple of times on TV with regards to Tennis. I hated the thought of doing it, but was happy I did afterwards.

Here are a few thoughts:

1) Before the interview, check to see if there is any local commuting resources that you can refer to people. (ie: city bike route maps - sometimes available on your local city website, check with your local police dept regarding local biking rules, etc)

2) Remind people that all buses now contain racks to carry bikes making it possible to incorporate biking partways in a longer commute.

3) Types of bikes that are typically used along with necessary and convenient accessories.

4) Encourage people to influence their workplaces to incorporate commuter-friendly resources (bike racks, showers, etc)


Good luck!

Banzai

Think of the questions people always ask you when they find out about your bike commuting. Some ones that come to mind that I ALWAYS get asked are:

How long does it take you?

Don't you get sweaty?

Aren't you scared of getting hit?

How do you carry things?

I just don't have time...how do you manage?

Those are the examples that are right at the top of my brain that I get asked on a consistent basis. I'm certain that everyone out there seeing a bike commuter is thinking very similar things. Good idea to get the questions from your friend in advance...but think to all the repetitive questions your co-workers and friends have asked.

crhilton

+1 I think this is the best advice. Everyone knows about cycle commuting, they just have no clue how it's done successfully. Or that anyone does it for that matter.

wild animals

can you show them your bike? with panniers or whatever? that'd be good.

i know when i start new stuff, i can get discouraged because it seems too hard, so i think that means i shouldn't do it. (like someone mentioned above with the baby steps.) it is hard at first, but then you toughen up (even if you are wimpy and fat), and you can do it, and you feel like rocky balboa or whatever, and everyone is so impressed. i'm not sure that's a big part of our culture anymore.

is it a good idea to mention that it is hard at first? although, i mean, anyone who tries it is going to find out pretty fast...

marqueemoon

Having the questions in advance might help. Otherwise just be yourself and roll with it.

climbhoser

If you can, make sure to point out that not only do cyclists have to obey traffic laws, but cagers need to respect cyclists right to be on the street as that's part of the law, too!

Keep it positive, upbeat and non-scary.

eric von zipper

These are excellent suggestions. I'm still waiting to hear if she got in touch with the president of a local cycling club, but if she hasn't, then I'll do it. Keeping my fingers crosses that she does get in touch.

Yeah, I feel like the basic questions that people ask (like the ones Banzai pointed out) are important to address. Also, it's high on my list not to come off like an angry cyclists who hates cars. That might be somewhat true, but for something like this, it won't be helpful.

bike2math

I have a list of reason I give family at reunions when they ask how I get to work if our family only has one car:

1. I take an MUP along a river, nature and relaxation.

2. I get two 60 minute workouts each day

3. I save $400 on parking at my university each year

4. I save $3.22 in gas every two days

5. My wife and I save (conservatively) $500 in insurance and assorted expenses on a second car each year.

---------------------------

There are other more preachy reasons (mainly that I'm ready for $10 / ga. gas today, are you?), which I get into if pressed. But these are the main reasons, in order of importance, that I put up with crappy commutes like this morning's (45 degrees and rain :yuck: ).

savethekudzu

Have some URLs available - cycling clubs, co-ops, hey, even BF!
(Give those to the reporter in printed form ahead of time.)
Our local TV stations are more and more including splash-screens with bullet points and key web sites.
It's also possible an extended transcript of your piece, or more information in some other form, will be posted online.

tarwheel 

I work in the media business. Here's my advice for TV interviews:
-- Keep it simple. No big words or run-on sentences.
-- Decide ahead of time the two or three key points you want to emphasize. Focus on those things. Don't go off on tangents -- because they might end up being what's used in the broadcast.
-- Don't worry about repeating yourself. In fact, it's a good idea to restate or paraphrase key points during the course of the interview because you might state your points more clearly the second or third time.
-- Remember, a typical interview will last only 15-30 seconds in TV news, so that isn't much time.

thdave

I'd focus on the fun.

You get good excersize while enjoying the outdoors. This keeps you in good health and helps with weight control. You've got a nice routine going. Tell them how it's more fun to excersize while doing something than it is to go to a club and hop on a machine. You can't quit the bike ride until you arrive at work/home, but you might leave a machine early. Plus, when on the machine you stare at the frickin' wall for the half hour ride. Not fun!

The interviewer will ask the details, as they'll appear incredulous that you do this.

TRUMPHENT

Echo Ron Paul. Play Triumph the Wonder Dog. Interview the interviewer. Pull out uber calorie bar and woof it down on camera. Remember, your audience is nekkid and they don't realize it.

Seriously, be short to the point and upbeat. Keep hands still. Conan 0'Brien hates you.

swwhite

[QUOTE=Banzai;6368357]
How long does it take you?

I just don't have time...how do you manage?
QUOTE]

Depending on your personal circumstances, you could drop some thought-provoking little comment like, yes I used to drive, but now I ride a bike because I don't really have time to drive.

When that sinks in and they ask why, you could point out that one could drive round-trip to work in half an hour and then drive to the gym to exercise for an hour, for a total of an hour and a half, or one could bike to work for an hour and skip the gym, for a total of an hour.

JusticeZero

Try to work up several 'sound bite statements' before the interview. Concise statements that are practiced and sound good. Hit those statements. Viewers will only see short bits of your statement.
This was highlighted in a workshop I once did; part of it was on 'dealing with the press'. One of the experienced people was asked a difficult and controversial question during practice, and rattled off a dry, jargon-filled explanation that lasted two minutes. It answered the question well, and was highly praised because "There is no way in hell I can turn that into a sound bite! That's not going on the air." Someone else rattled off an answer that lasted almost exactly fifteen seconds, and which you could just picture flags, doves, and the like dancing dramatically behind him as he explained in a short statement why it was vital for the environment that he clear-cut old growth forests.

rnorris

Hi! Hope the interview goes well. In a former job I did lots of live and taped interviews for local TV stations. Here's what I learned from that experience:

- As mentioned above, try to find out the questions she'll be asking ahead of time; you can frame your answers to emphasize the points about cycling that you wish to make.

-Try to stay relaxed and cheerful; just think of it as an interview from a friend. Nervous body language will be visible to the broadcast audience.

- Stay on ground that you're comfortable with; don't try to 'wing it' with topics that you're uncertain about.

- The beauty of taped interviews is you can fix your own stumbles. If you don't like the answer you've just given for some reason, don't be afraid to ask her to redo that part of the interview.

- Realize that all, little, or none of the interview may end up being broadcast. I used to ask the news media folks how they felt when a story they'd worked all afternoon on got canned; most just shrugged and said "it's part of the business".

Good Luck!

caloso

How about a visual?

I pay $5 per month for my bike box. Or $60 per year. (Which is relatively expensive since most bike commuters pay $0 for their parking.) Many of my coworkers pay $175 a month, or $2100 per year to park their cars in the same lot.

I'd go to the bank and withdraw 108 twenty-dollar bills. Put three in one pocket and 105 in the other. And then say "What would you rather pay for parking each year? This? (pull out the three) Or this? (pull out the 105 and spread them out hip-hop gansta style).

savethekudzu

Did it happen?