Radio host infuriates cyclists

The Raleigh News & Observer ^ | 10/1/03 | BRUCE SICELOFF

[Hatteras]

Radio host infuriates cyclists

By BRUCE SICELOFF, Staff Writer

G105 radio host Bob Dumas told listeners last week that he just hated to see bicycle riders on the road. He laughed at stories about running cyclists down, and he talked up the idea of throwing bottles at bikers. It wasn't funny to cycling enthusiasts across the Triangle. This week they are lobbying government officials and local advertisers in a campaign to punish radio station WDCG and its corporate owner, Clear Channel of San Antonio, and to promote bicycle safety."One caller said her dad had purposely hit a biker on the road on the way to church one Sunday and kept on going," said G105 listener Holly N. Proctor of Cary on Tuesday of the Sept. 21 and 22 broadcasts. "That got laughs. Bob thought that was funny.

"And Bob said he'd love to be on a motorcycle and driving it down a bike lane. Because he didn't think bikers should be allowed on the road. He said they should ride on the sidewalk," she said.

Proctor, a photo technician at N.C. State University, joined two dozen fellow cyclists at a 5 p.m. protest outside the radio station's offices in North Raleigh.

Tom Norman , director of the N.C. Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation , said that reports about the broadcasts revealed dangerous ignorance of state law.

"I have talked to the G105 manager, who was not aware that it is legal to ride bicycles on the public roadways of North Carolina, that cycles are legally recognized as vehicles in North Carolina," Norman said. "Where do you draw the line? What is the distinction between humor and actually inciting or encouraging listeners to harass a group of people?"

Kenneth C. Spitzer, the station manager, declined to provide tapes or transcripts of the broadcasts to Norman or to a Capital Area transportation planning committee that discussed the controversy Tuesday.

In e-mail responses to several Triangle area residents who complained to the station, Spitzer said the "Bob and Madison " show aims to entertain listeners with "animated banter ... that can be both humorous and caustic." But he said some comments last week "went too far, and for that we sincerely apologize.

"Be assured that G105 does not advocate harm to cyclists," he wrote.

G105 is the third Clear Channel station to draw fire in the past four months for on-air comments perceived as advocating violence or animosity toward bicycle riders. Officials at WMJI in Cleveland and KLOL in Houston apologized in July and September for similar remarks. They agreed to broadcast "share the road" messages and to finance bicycle safety campaigns.

Leaders of the N.C. Bicycle Club outlined requests they said would help Clear Channel "mend relations with Triangle bicyclists," including similar public safety campaigns and a detailed apology.

Spitzer declined to comment. A corporate spokeswoman to whom inquiries were directed Tuesday did not return calls.

Members of area cycling clubs have shared copies over the past week of protest letters to the Federal Communications Commission, to state and local prosecutors and to G105 sponsors. Several critics noted that G105 radio hosts have sparked controversy in the past with crude stunts.

"It's one thing to drive around with a naked man on the radio station's van," said Raleigh lawyer Kimberly Bryan. "To encourage citizens to harm cyclists, that has crossed a different line. It's irresponsible. It's not caustic, it's not banter, it's not funny."

David Smith , 38, a software developer at UNC-Chapel Hill, took it personally. His right forearm still bears the scar of an attack by an Orange County motorist who found Smith cycling down a rural road one afternoon in April 2001.

"How are people going to take this, what was mentioned on G105?" Smith asked. "Are people going to say, 'You know, I'm tired of these cyclists?' Is that situation going to exacerbate what happened to me, with somebody else coming down a back road?"

After running Smith off the road, the driver stopped, chased him down on foot and struck him with a hatchet, sending him into a ditch and over the handlebars of his wrecked bike. Marvin Glenn Manring of Orange County pleaded guilty in July 2001 to assault with a deadly weapon. He promised to enroll in an anger management program.

Staff writer Bruce Siceloff can be reached at 829-4527 or bsicelof@newsobserver.com.

[RoughDobermann]

I have one word too.... Paintball Gun

I have a word too: Thorazine followed by Castration.

[ironman]

Yes cleats like these http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=1848

[Petronski]

little skintight homo-clown outfits.

LOL

[Servant of the 9]

Have you ever actually bumped a cyclist in traffic? Or, do you just enjoy talking about it whenever the opportunity arises?

I've never had to, an air horn has always cleared the way, but I'm willing to.
I have bumped cars.

By the way, when I looked up that old post, I couldn't help but notice the name change. What did you do to earn such distinction?

I told a politiclly incorrect truth.

I just don't understand why all you bike weenie gas mizers are here instead of over on DU with you coreligionists.

[F.J. Mitchell]

Good point, Sloth, I agree with that. If Bicyclists, especially on a busy road loaded with people commuting to work, stopped behind the vehicle ahead of them at lights as the autos of neccessity must, then neither drivers or bikers would be stuck with the hazzards of passing over and over after every stop light.

If that isn't the law, it should be.

[ironman]

"I usually give a safe signal and wave a car past me."

I am just the opposite. I never give a driver a signal. I leave the decision totally to the driver as to when he/she feels it is ok to pass. That way there is no confusion.

[RoughDobermann]

I just don't understand why all you bike weenie gas mizers are here instead of over on DU with you coreligionists

Congratulations, you win.

[BikeLawyer]

20 mph, 3-4 ft into the lane... this guy was doing EXACTLY what is urged of transporation cyclists at a truly fast pace...

Folks, cyclists have a legal right to use virtually every single road in all 50 states. In fact, historically, cyclists were among the ones who fought to have the first roads paved... The fabric of "traffic" is wide and colorful and includes things that move slowly including, in OHio at least, Amish buggies, slow moving commercial vehicles and bicycles... get used to it, get over it... the physical threats posted here are of far more concern to me than slowing people down before they can pass a cyclist. The slightest nudge from a passing motorist can KILL a cyclist...

[cyclotic]

You said:

I just don't understand why all you bike weenie gas mizers are here instead of over on DU with you coreligionists.

That's getting into bonehead territory.

Cycling is a good exercise, great hobby and fun. It's something the whole family can do. In fact, I'll bet my 7 year old boy could outride you anyday. And my 62 year old mother for that matter.
Just because I happen to enjoy going out and doing a quick 25 or 50 miles after work does not put me or about 80% of the cyclists out there into Gas mizer weenie mode like DU.

I'll agree, the critical mass idiots are absolute morons. But they are few and far between. I ride with one of the largest clubs in my state. Everyone shows up to the rides in large cars and vans. They gotta be big to fit the bikes. I get 6 bikes on my van roof and back. Cain't do that in a Geo Metro.

Get off the bad attitude.

[ironman]

Those Gatorskins are good tires. I've had a couple on my commuter bike.

[olorin]

economics ye avowed lawbreaker - it is far cheaper for me to bike to work than to drive - I always thought that economic motivation was a conservative ideal

[cyclotic]

to 406.

I see that point of people who don't wave cars by and can agree. I only do if the driver is hanging back for a long time and evidently afraid to pass me. Usually older folks who maybe shouldn't be driving anyway. I'm sitting taller and have a better view than they do, so sometimes I'll signal them by.

[Hatteras]

"The slightest nudge from a passing motorist can KILL a cyclist..."

Not according to some of these studly armed anti motorvehicle nazis. If you even think of bumping their bike they will reach in their fannie-packs so fast, pull out a .357 and.... BLAM! Right between the headlights!

[Old Professer]

Back in the 1980s we carpooled from Simi Valley, Ca. to West L.A. and would often get off the 405 at MulHolland to Wilshire Blvd. to avoid backups; for a several month period we would encounter a lone female bicyclist , challenging gravity and centripedal force gallantly while occupying a full one-third of the downhill lane; we thought at first that this was her Weight-Watchers regimen, but after a long winter of bobbing about and weaving around as best as possible we finally concluded she was just nuts.

[RoughDobermann]

I'm rather sure that the reaction your refer to was made AFTER numerous "shoot em with a painball," "nudge him with my car" comments. What would you expect?

[olorin]

I believe that Hatteras actually made it up.

[ironman]

Your reasoning is circular. As far as I can tell there is no requirement for a bike to stop behind a car that is stopped at a light. Try again.

[Old Professer]

No cyclist worth his salt needs 3 to 4 feet in order to ride.

A standard coffin is two feet wide.

[Hatteras]

Actually, the whole violence and retribution stuff by Freepers on this thread was first alluded to in Post #2.

The article discussed violence against bicyclists and I merely stated that I have no pity for them. And that was based on my personal experience.

[ironman]

Your post is not funny. See my post here http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/992912/posts?page=60#60