Anti-bike segment on Detroit radio station WCSX (Page 3)

MediLodge, too, is disgusted by their  remarks and have asked WCSX to issue a formal apology and discipline

Cathie Coleman

Reply from the radio station:

Thank you for your email.  While I appreciate your concerns, I have to

Object to your accusation that Deminski & Doyle encouraged listeners to

Throw things at cyclists.  Quite the opposite, they were surprised that

a law to prohibit this behavior had to be enacted, since it should be

Obvious that it's unacceptable.  Obviously, they are outspoken and have

Very strong opinions about their experience with cyclists in the Detroit

Area, and those experiences have been negative.  We welcome your

Comments and the debate that their remarks sparked.  I expect that they

will continue this conversation, and I invite you to call in to express

Your views.

rkreuser - 2009-08-06 5:50 PM

the bear - 2009-08-06 4:50 PM

mr2tony - 2009-08-06 3:48 PM

the bear - 2009-08-06 3:23 PM

mr2tony - 2009-08-06 2:52 PM  The Bear, you're going to have to pick a side. Are you a cyclist, or a curmudgeon?

I'll be both, thank you very much. Just not going to get up in arms about every negative opinion espoused about cyclists, especially when I see a good bit of truth in that opinion. Also agree with the radio stations's response. I do not hear them encouraging drivers to throw stuff at cyclists in that clip.

As you know my `pick a side' comment was tongue in cheek. I have to say that while it's true they didn't say `Throw things at cyclists' they said something comparable: `They make you want to go Grand Theft Auto on them' and `It makes you want to throw stuff at their heads.' That, to me, is like saying: `While I don't encourage you to throw things at them and run them off the road, I understand if you do because I really want to. But I won't. But I want to. And you shouldn't. But I understand if you do.'

Yep. That's one interpretation.

Agreed. That's one interpretation most of us had. Especially those of us that have had the pleasure of riding Michigan roads with that same set of people that were listening to this segment, who run the risk of further egging on a population that's leaning that direction already.     

Now they can add another bit to their segment about a bunch of cyclists getting their spandex all in a bunch.

I listened to the clip yesterday and had generally the same reaction as Bear and a few others.  While not nice or fun, it was not vitriolic either.

But having slept on it, what really bothers me is gross use of stereotyping and generalizing that the DJs did.  They lump ALL cyclists into these negative categories and attributes.   That, to me, is the true ignorance of their stance. 

How is what they're saying about cyclists any different from racial profiling?  Or sexism?  Or sexual orientation?  You chose your sub-group to compare it to.  In every single case, generalizing comments are completely coming from a position of ignorance and insecurity.  Its the same deal here.

One more update....I received the following this morning from WCSX. Looks as though Beaumont (a major sponsor and hospital) got through to the radio station; they will be airing a segment with D&D and 'a cyclist and a representative of a cycling organization' tomorrow morning (Mon, Aug 10) sometimes between 6 and 9AM.

I pray they got someone literate, respectful, and not activist, hardcore knuckleheads. It'd be lousy to get a 2nd shot at some positive pub for cyclists and have it go sideways. Anyway, here's the note:

We, at WCSX-FM appreciate your note regarding the segment that ran on the Deminski and Doyle show on Wednesday, August 5.

Beaumont Hospitals did contact us to express their concerns about your e-mail and to express to you their concern for safety of bicyclists and of course, we do agree with them.  However, Deminski & Doyle did not encourage listeners to throw things at cyclists. Quite the opposite, they were surprised that a law to prohibit this behavior had to be enacted, since it should be obvious that it's unacceptable. We welcome your comments and the debate that their remarks sparked.

As a matter of fact, we have invited a cyclist and a representative of a cycling organization to be on the show this coming Monday, August 10 to discuss this topic..

Again, thank you for your letter and concern..

Sincerely,

Doug Podell

Program Director, WCSX & Director of Rock Programming, Greater Media Detroit

&

Janet Jablonski

WCSX Senior Account Manager