The BTA: Your Voice on TV, Print, Radio
Posted by: EvanFeb 03 2006, 11:36 am
It's been a busy week of media. Of course, it's also been a busy year. In the past week, we've appeared on TV talking about the Burnside Bridge repairs, the I Share the Road campaign, and Platinum Portland, and in the newspaper talking about bicycling visibility and the Naito Parkway bikelanes.
We're thrilled to have such engaged media and to have a chance to make our voice heard for bicyclists.
Recently, a cyclist heard what were perceived to be anti-bike comments on the radio, so we spoke up to the management of 105.1 the Buzz. In response the letter sent below, the program manager and Nelson said that the comments they made were tongue in cheek, and the segment included, "I'm just kidding," and later said "God bless you for riding a bike and not polluting," and expressed sincere concern about the bicyclists safety.
Unable to review the segment for myself, I'll take their word for it.
Anyway, here's the letter we wrote…
Nelson and Terry (and Jeff [Program Manager]),
I've heard via the grapevine that 105.1 the Buzz was furthering an anti-bike sentiment yesterday, arguing that bikes have no place on our roads (or at least the roads without bike lanes).
That's disappointing, and I'd have to strenuously disagree.
Our transportation system must serve all Oregonians — not just those who can drive. A quarter of Oregonians — roughly 800,000 people — are too young, old, sick or poor to drive. These people deserve transportation choices just like everyone else. And those of us who can drive also benefit from having choices.
In a time of rampant obesity — and soaring health costs related to it — and a time where our largest environmental problem may well be global warming caused in significant part by excessive driving, it's amazing that you would try to force people into cars, instead of providing quality options so that people could make affordable, healthy choices.
I own a car. And I own a bike. I walk and I take transit.  And I work to share the road safely, regardless of which mode I'm using.
But your fueling anti-bike sentiment may lead to more assaults on cyclists, who are just trying to get from point A to B safely like the rest of us. Indeed, we've heard stories of more harrassment and assaults of cyclists since the recent media stories, and last November a car harrassed a cyclist for several blocks before running the cyclist into a parked car.
Moreover, bicyclists aren't just a small group: two-thirds of Portlanders want to bike more, and most Portlanders own bikes. Bicycling has increased threefold in the past 15 years, and looks to increase even more.
If you're wondering what we can do to share the road safely, visit easytoshare.com. There's enough room out there for all of us — and I hope future shows will reflect that.
Regards,
Evan Manvel
