CycleNaut

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?

Chris L

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?

RonH

John, thanks for posting this.

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.

oxologic

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.

The Toninator

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.

The Toninator

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.

DanFromDetroit

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.

Pete Clark

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.

lotek 

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:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ghlight=dallas

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

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. 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.

bac

Yup. Let me start.

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!

lotek 

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

The Toninator

what other kind of roads are there?

The Toninator

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

khuon

It depends on where you are...

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

The Toninator

True

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.

Zinger61

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!!!!!

Paige

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.

The Toninator

zinger do i know you?

khuon

Perhaps he needs to be shown this story

John E

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.

uciflylow

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!!!!

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:

John E

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.

tbobby

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.