UPDATE: Madison Radio Station Encourages Drivers to "Take out Cyclists"

Triathlon Forum
1

Received this this morning from our local tri club:

I’m not sure if anyone else was listening to 94.1 WJJO this
morning in Madison but they had a segment of the program dedicated to
making fun of bikers around 7:20 or so. The morning hosts talked
about how they loved to roll down their windows and yell things at the
lame bikers like “nice spandex you fairy!” It went on for a few
minutes.

     I'm not sure if I'm blowing it out of proportion, but with all

the crap I take from drivers on my daily commute it really struck a
nerve with me. I’ve had many drivers yell things at me or nearly clip
me, so knowing one of them is a local DJ bothers me. I’ve contacted
the station and their owners, will no longer listen, and am going to
contact as many of their sponsors as possible. Feel free to forward
on or delete.

The skit was called:
Bike Path of Death: How to take out a cyclist.
Download it here:
http://podcast.loyalears.com/...owse&file_id=789

Some disturbing Quotes.
J. Danger “The one thing the people in this city are sick of is bicyclists”

Comedian “The basic idea is instead of killing deer we take out
bicyclists in the Dane county area because we feel they’re flamers and
should be shot at”

Comedian “Bicyclists tend to hover around areas that are gay and retarded”

Comedian “This is someone who needs to be taken off the planet as soon
as possible, shoot him! shoot him!”

Gun Shots heard
Comedian “Yeah, I bagged me a nancy boy, woo hoo!”

Comedian “Remember the only bicyclist who isn’t a pain in your as s is
a dead one on the side of the road”

J. Danger “That’s one down about 30,000 to go”

Unknown: "The opinions of J Danger don’t necessarily reflect those of
Midwest Family Broadcasting J. Danger Interrupts “oh yes they do, yes
they do, I guarantee you they do!”

JJO is owned by Mid-West Family Broadcasting:
tom.walker@midwestfamilybroadcasting.com GM
ted.w@midwestfamilybroadcasting.com Director of Sales
ritchie.baumann@midwestfamilybroadcasting.com Local Sales

JJO Studio Line:
608-321-0941

Station contact list:
http://www.wjjo.com/...Contact+Sheet-4.html

Station Supporters Email:
baer@baerinsurance.com
cjjon@tds.net = Chalmers Jewelers
info@msn.herzing.edu = Herzing College
JimC@kearnsmotorcar.com
info@turvillebay.com
markweaver@weaverautoparts.com
Moose@clubtavern.com
patrogan@rogansshoes.com
tomrogan@rogansshoes.com
markweaver@weaverautoparts.com
Station Supporters Web Contact:
http://www.einsteinpcs.com/...ntact+us/default.asp - Einstein PC’s
http://www.einsteinpcs.com/...ntact+us/default.asp
http://goldes.com/contact.php
http://www.farmandfleet.com/...er_care/default.aspx

2

Madison has a huge base of cyclists, and just as large a base of people who HATE them. Working with an RD (former) from a race in/near Madison that has seen its last day - this was the reason that the race is no more, quoted from their representitive…

…specifically. The “issues” involved cyclists (1)
dominating the parking areas at -------, (2) peeing in public, (3)
“taking over the road so no one could pass for miles” and (4) littering.
This also boils over to the Stedai Mai (sp) where one of the cites asked the run to re-route thanks to participants using the “bush” where ever and when ever they wanted on their 20 mile assault on Stoughton. Fact is, we cant blame people for not wanting activites that are disruptive and down right terrible to see (such as folks going pee in your yard)…you expect them to enjoy us?

3

Having used to live in Madison and going up there to ride often, this is kinda shocking… especially in light of how Madison is trying to be a cycling friendly city.

Probably forward that along to local government officials who have been actively promoting cycling and see what kind of response you get.

Since this seems to be a reoccurring theme, maybe we should sponsor a knife a DJ petition or something? Maybe they won’t think it’s quite as funny then.

4

Having used to live in Madison and going up there to ride often, this is kinda shocking… especially in light of how Madison is trying to be a cycling friendly city.

Probably forward that along to local government officials who have been actively promoting cycling and see what kind of response you get.

Since this seems to be a reoccurring theme, maybe we should sponsor a knife a DJ petition or something? Maybe they won’t think it’s quite as funny then.

I’m wondering what WJJO’s liability would be if somebody actually gets hurt.

5

Point well taken on this front Chip. I’ve chased down people who decided it was too much of an effort to tuck a cliff bar wrapper in the leg of their shorts with a, “I think you dropped this…”

There’s a lot of us out there that can do a tune up of our social responsibilities as well…

That being said, peeing in someone’s side yard in the “sticks” shouldn’t result in head hunting (pun intended for the tri club).

6

pee is good for the plants!

maybe
sometimes

7

I live in Madison.
I am an avid bicyclist.
I have family members who are gay.
I will ask friends who listen to this station to discontinue doing so.
I will be asking my boss to discontinue playing this particular radio station at our office.
I will be contacting the companies on this radio station who have contracted for advertising ad dollars and ask them to discontinue their ad campaigns. Several of these companies are customers of mine. Midwest Family Broadcasting management will be CC’d in these requests.

Think this is liberal Madison? Also in the news lately: The town of Middleton (our township neighbor immediately west of Madison) council is debating if a designated “bicycle friendly” road out of town should be repaved at a narrow (20’-204’) width, not a bike-lane inclusive width (30’). This is Old Sauk Road, which section in the City of Madison immediately adjoining have already been widened to accommodate bike lanes. Town council members are under the assumption that the extra dollars spend in accommodating bicyclists is a waste of money, and only encourages more use of the road by bicyclists who “only” obstruct traffic.

8

I’m with you. The more that join in the better.

9

Comedian “Bicyclists tend to hover around areas that are gay and retarded”

Comedian “This is someone who needs to be taken off the planet as soon
as possible, shoot him! shoot him!”

Gun Shots heard
Comedian “Yeah, I bagged me a nancy boy, woo hoo!”

Comedian “Remember the only bicyclist who isn’t a pain in your as s is
a dead one on the side of the road”

Hmmm…seems to be a theme here…hmmm…that one time George Carlin said to snort 20lbs of cocaine, how many people you think did?

Tell your club to get over themselves and try to enjoy life. That DJ wont cause, nor prevent any jag from doing somethign to you as you ride.

10

i strongly disagree. perpetuating this sort of sentiment in any way can definitely cause numbskulls to push something a little further - buzz a little closer rather than honk, maybe throw an empty drink instead of just buzzing you, etc etc.

all it takes is a single incident to make it tragically unacceptable for these guys to spout their ignorant and harmful diatribe.

sux when people have to use hate to make a living.

11

audio link to skit:

http://www.madvelocity.com/

Reply from station (sent to someone else and passed to me):

You clearly did not hear the broadcast and are acting on second hand
knowledge. You should properly inform yourself before you start
making slanderous statements. I will help. Both sides of the argument were voiced.
Other people are entitled to their opinion, even when it does not match yours.

Let me make this very clear. These blanket statements and
misrepresentations of our company are VERY hurtful. We have rights and we will
protect them. Slander, defamation etc.

Also know that Our General Manager and President is Tom Walker. His
Father ran this company until he passed away a few years ago at 82. It has been
run by a Walker since it was founded over 50 years ago. Tom’s sister, Mr
Walker’s daughter was killed while riding her bike on university ave in
Madison. He was listening this morning. He feels both sides were represented.
Forward that to your organization. I watched this morning as he received these
misinformed e-mails accusing him of supporting what took his sisters life.

I have been a BMX and Mountain Bike racer for 20 years. I am on the
trails of Madison all the time with my two children in the Burley. I feel your
pain. However there are a lot of BAD cyclist out there. It is a fact. They do
us no good. I do feel both sides were discussed. Unfortunately I looked at the
fifteen txt responses to the studio during the topic and ALL OF THEM were anti
cyclist. These people have a right to there opinion and their opinion is
cyclist are a problem. Not allowing them to discuss it, does not change that
fact.

Thank you for your opinion. I hope you respect us voicing ours. You did
not get the full story. I am sorry for that.

Randy Hawke

12

Just got an email back from the people at the radio station and the owner HAD A SISTER WHO WAS HIT AND KILLED on University Ave in Madison and he thought both sides were represented and it was fair. How about that one. Now I have to go listen to it and probably be more upset.

13

i strongly disagree. perpetuating this sort of sentiment in any way can definitely cause numbskulls to push something a little further - buzz a little closer rather than honk, maybe throw an empty drink instead of just buzzing you, etc etc.

all it takes is a single incident to make it tragically unacceptable for these guys to spout their ignorant and harmful diatribe.

sux when people have to use hate to make a living.
I’d have to agree. Stupid people by their very nature; are easily made into sheep. If you put an idea into their heads and then tell ‘em its appropriate behavior…voila’ some rider gets a beer can upside the back of his head as he/she rides down the road.

Instead, how about we afford cyclists the advantage of some of this “hate crime” legislature. IF someone in a vehicle causes harm to a cyclist; BANGO, hate crime penalties!

ok, I’ve had* too much* coffee…

14

straw man

the issue is not whether the reporting was fair and balanced

the issue is that it is whether it is ok to encourage killing people in a joking manner or not.

Just got an email back from the people at the radio station and the owner HAD A SISTER WHO WAS HIT AND KILLED on University Ave in Madison and he thought both sides were represented and it was fair. How about that one. Now I have to go listen to it and probably be more upset.

15

That’s the problem here…bike vs. car. Car wins everytime. If people are taking out their frustrations on cyclist by yelling, throwing stuff, or trying to scare them by passing super close. All it takes is one little accident and that driver is going to have their life changed when the kill someone.

Mat Steinmetz
www.msteinmetz.blogspot.com

16

Sure

personally I think its fine for the station to joke about killing people

AND its fine for people to get upset about it

science bless freedom!

That’s the problem here…bike vs. car. Car wins everytime. If people are taking out their frustrations on cyclist by yelling, throwing stuff, or trying to scare them by passing super close. All it takes is one little accident and that driver is going to have their life changed when the kill someone.

Mat Steinmetz
www.msteinmetz.blogspot.com

17

I just sent a nice short email, along with your quote to all the emails you listed. They’ll see its sent as far away as Arizona.

If the advertisers get wind that this is posted on the internet and their company is mentioned maybe a retraction is in order.

This whole idiot DJ thing has come up before in reference to injuring people, cyclists, that they don’t like. Its wrong, and should stop. Lots of his listeners can’t decifer whether he is kidding or not.

18

OMG people relax, yes this is blown way out of proportion! JJO does this stuff all the time. I am sure it is a (comedic)reaction to the new Madison car door law. Boy who pissed in your cornflakes this morning.

19

Here’s the immediate response I received via email from the radio statoin manager and my response back to him.
----- Original Message ----- From: Randy Hawke To: Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 8:42 AM Subject: Thank you for your comments

I am the Program Director for WJJO Madison. I want to you know the entire story.
The bit posted online is from last year. It was not aired yesterday. It was dealt with at that time and never aired again. I apologize for leaving it posted on the podcast site. I did not pull it at the time because it felt like I would be trying to hide from the issue and I am not. It has since been pulled.
We have changed 50% of the morning team since then. They actually had nothing to do with this pit. It is from last year. How could I possibly take action on those people for the bit?
Our General Manager and President is Tom Walker. His Father ran this company until he passed away a few years ago at 82. It has been run by a Walker since it was founded over 50 years ago. Tom’s sister, Mr Walker’s daughter was killed while riding her bike on university ave in Madison. He was listening this morning. He feels both sides were represented. Forward that to your organization. I watched this morning as he received these misinformed e-mails accusing him of supporting what took his sisters life.
I have been a BMX and Mountain Bike racer for 20 years. I am on the trails of Madison all the time with my two children in the Burley. I feel your pain. However there are a lot of BAD cyclist out there. It is a fact. They do us no good. I do feel both sides have being were discussed. Unfortunately I looked at the fifteen txt responses to the studio during the topic and ALL OF THEM were anti cyclist. These people have a right to there opinion and their opinion is cyclist are a problem. Not allowing them to discuss it, does not change that fact.

Thank you for hearing me out.

Respectfully,
Randy Hawke
WJJO PD

Randy, Thank you for responding. The only concern I have, or had, was that of a DJ at your station asking listeners to shoot cyclists. I didnt ask you to take action against any of your employees. I realize that everyone has an opinion and that is their right. They also have a right to be heard. They don’t however have a right to advocate shooting people they disagree with. Thank you again for your response. Paul and Connie Schwartz
Casa Sedona Bed and Breakfast Inn
55 Hozoni Dr
Sedona, AZ 86336
800-525-3756
www.casasedona.com

20

Happy to pass along the results of the fine work of David Vogt of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin:

All:

I am pleased to report that my meeting with WJJO Operation Manager
Randy Hawke and station owner Tom Walker went extremely well and will
likely yield several positive results.

First and foremost, Mid-West Family Broadcasting will produce 2
bicycle safety PSAs and air them no fewer than 200 times at all times
of the day. I was assured that they take their role in airing
community service messages seriously, and the spots will not be
relegated to 4:17 AM airings. The scripts for both PSAs will be sent
to the Bike Fed to ensure factual depiction of Wisconsin bicycle law
and accuracy of content. While they are nowhere near writing actual
scripts yet, the frequent themes that will be emphasized are:

  1. Bicycles are legal vehicles under Wisconsin State Law, and
    entitled to all the rights and responsibilities as other users of the
    road.
  2. State law requires motorists provide a 3-foot clearance when
    passing bicyclists.
  3. Public roadways are for all users.
  4. With the right to ride your bicycle on public roads comes the
    responsibility to follow the rules of the road.

A possible theme for the PSAs emerged: “Respect is a two-way street”,
implying a desire to increase awareness, understanding and respect
amongst all users of the road.

A big thanks to everyone who contributed to these ideas.

Additionally, on-air personality Johnny Danger expressed a desire to
get on a bike himself, possibly giving bike commuting a try. Mid-West
also sponsors a Boys and Girls Club Ride, and Danger may be
participating in that ride as well.

Lastly, Mr. Walker has an astounding collection of autographed
memorabilia from his years in the music business, and expressed a
desire to contribute to fundraising efforts like the Saris Gala to
benefit bicycle advocacy.

Overall, it was a very positive meeting. Both Mr. Walker and Mr.
Hawke agreed that Tuesday’s on-air comment regarding the harassment of
cyclists from the window of a car was not only inappropriate, but
could very well endanger the life of cyclists. The person who made
the comment was disciplined and Johnny Danger was reprimanded for not
hitting the “kill switch”, which would have effectively kept the
comment from ever leaving the studio.

Also, it should be noted that the audio comments posted to
Madvelocity.com were aired in August of 2008, not last week. Several
of the people who were responsible for the August 2008 piece have
since been dismissed, because - in Mr. Walker’s words - “we will not
give a forum to shock-jocks”. He admitted the potential problems that
come with live, unscripted comedy radio, but assured me that he will
not permit a format that encourages and rewards dangerous and illegal
behavior toward cyclists.

Overall, it was a great example of taking a bad situation and turning
it into a positive. Mr. Walker is himself a bicyclist, provides
indoor bike parking and shower and locker facilities for his employees
who bike to work, and is actively involved in promoting compact, bike
and transit-friendly development in the city of Madison. In short, he
is not an enemy of bicyclists. Randy Hawke is also a bicyclist and
eager to work with us to promote bicycling on the air. Johnny Danger
is - contrary to some to the unsolicited comments e-mailed to the
station - a very active and fit individual who participates in
numerous non-motorized outdoor activities, and would probably make an
excellent “convert” to our cause. I intend to keep trying to get him
into cycling - either commuting, recreation or perhaps even
competition.

Thanks to all who contributed to this effort.

–
David Vogt
Deputy Director
Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin
(608) 251-4456