KPCC - ABOUT ME
Thread started by
md2 at 11.6.09 - 11:10 am
An email from KPCC, directed me to this form they have created
http://www.scpr.org/in/questions/bike/
This was the response:
Thanks for the note, I’ll pass it on to our editors and talk show producers. I appreciate hearing from our audience that there is an appetite for more and better coverage of this issue.
In the meantime, I’d be interested in knowing your bike experiences and having you in our Insight Network of news sources for public radio. That way, when our next show or news story about cycling, commuting and street safety comes up, I’ll be able to quickly alert you and others who’ve expressed interest in the topic.
Here’s the link: www.scpr.org/in/questions/bike
You’ll get about one e-mail a month asking questions about topics in the news, and we use these to inform our talk shows and news reports.
reply
Due to the intense interest in this topic and response to this week’s show, AirTalk with Larry Mantle will revisit the issue, this time with some expert guests. It’s set for 10:20 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. You can listen live on the air at 89.3 FM or online at kpcc.org. We’ll have an archive of the broadcast available online after the show, and places on the show website for simultaneous comments, and to continue the discussion afterward.
Please feel free to pass the word. I’ll be e-mailing cyclists who are in the Insight Network an alert to the follow-up show. Also, anybody who wants to add their bicycle story and photo to our Insight Network of news sources is welcome to do so at this link: www.scpr.org/in/questions/bike.
Thanks very much for making your voice heard on this issue.
Sharon McNary
Public Insight Journalism at KPCC
smcnary@scpr.org 213-621-4671
Facebook: KPCC Sharon McNary
Twitter: KPCCsharon
md2 responding to a
comment by trickmilla
11.6.09 - 12:43 pm
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Also,
I asked Sharon is she would let us know in advance who the "experts" would be. Hopefully it will be people we can cosign, so to speak.
We'll see.
md211.6.09 - 12:59 pm
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That's real talk. Funny I just asked her the same question about these so called "experts"
I want to know that the people talking Are actual commuters and ride LA as much as myself and others in our community. All city ruff and rugged or nothin'.
Roadblock responding to a
comment by md2
11.6.09 - 1:12 pm
reply
Here’s what I know from the show producers.
10:20 – 11:00
Topic: PAVEMENT WARS - PART 2: Last week we talked about the assault, battery and mayhem convictions of Dr. Christopher Thompson, who attacked a group of cyclists on Mandeville Canyon Road by swerving his car in front of them and jamming on the brakes, seriously injuring two of them. Response to the segment was overwhelming. However, many KPCC listeners raised questions about the laws that govern cyclists. Are cyclists required to yield for passing cars? Are bikes permitted on sidewalks? What are the rights and responsibilities of California cyclists? And what is being done to improve conditions for bikes?
Guest: Ted Rodgers, freelance advertising copy writer who maintains the bikinginla blog. Avid cyclists and bike advocate
IN STUDIO
Guest: Michelle Mowery, senior bicycle coordinator at LADOT
IN STUDIO
md2 responding to a
comment by Roadblock
11.6.09 - 1:45 pm
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I follow Ted Rodgers blog and he seems a good proxy for the cycling community at large. He also did some interviews with NPR.
Foldie responding to a
comment by md2
11.6.09 - 1:47 pm
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I hope I made it clear on the original post, that you should enter in you're "about me" on the link.
Send them some good info. Think about the people who read this stuff; you can affect their minds too.
We'll convert KPCC to KILL RADIO.
md211.6.09 - 1:57 pm
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I like Ted Rogers but Michelle Mowery again? I have never seen her on a bicycle and never seen her even wearing bicycle garb.... I understand she is part of the LADOT bicycle group, but I sincerely dont think she is qualified to speak on commuting by bicycle in Los Angeles.
Roadblock responding to a
comment by md2
11.6.09 - 2:29 pm
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im sure you have some pull with LABC. Can you contact them about having another person attend or at least explain her qualifications?
If you want, I'll attend the discussion, but I might end up just saying some long winded shit talking rant--it would make sense after a week of decoding... but it might not be what we need.
Anyhow... who, honestly, do you think has the kind of sharp, clear and lets set aside the bullshit attitude and get to the real issue...mindset?
md2 responding to a
comment by Roadblock
11.6.09 - 2:40 pm
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there are quite a few, I would say DJWheels, Joseph, myself, Box, AT, you ... just someone who can counter the naysaying of the LADOT.
Roadblock responding to a
comment by md2
11.6.09 - 2:47 pm
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I was thinking about contacting Ted or LABC... and maybe figuring out what their stance is on important issues. And also find out how they are going to approach the angry calls.
(ted is pretty much understood; he articulates his stance on his blog).
But i think the important matter is to not rehash this: angry caller please understand where we're coming from.
We're not going to change them. We need to ignore that, and either just say something like... we'll do you think so many angry people should be allowed to drive? Im kidding.
I would just hate to see this turn into a debate about: we'll us bike commuters are really just trying to assert our presence. It is scary out there. I understand some get angry at drivers, but try to understand the elements we're working under.
I think that IS understood. People know what it scary. Thats why they drive. People know drivers are assholes. Thats why some still drive.
We need to hammer home the fundamental points. We need to ignore the bullshit... understanding our anger... and just say... FUCK, LOS ANGELES... WHAT THE HELL ARE WE DOING?
md2 responding to a
comment by Roadblock
11.6.09 - 3:26 pm
reply
+1
that would be great.
md2 responding to a
comment by buckchin
11.6.09 - 3:28 pm
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sorry, that was typed a little too fast...
I meant to say contact LABC's: Michelle Mowery... to find out her stance.
Also, Im not discounting the need to have the kind of conversation about the elements we're working under. I just have this feeling from my experience talking to drivers, that they understand we have it rough out there.
Honestly, thats why many dont ride bikes.
I would rather like a discussion to establish the fundemantals: the laws concerning bikes, and delve into the benefits of riding, and why we need to ride.
I feel like the car vs cyclist argument distracts (as Mr. Rollers pointed out in another thread). But I also dont care to much about co-existence, as much as I care about people thinking about ditching their cars.
md211.6.09 - 3:32 pm
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You know I'd love to, but I'm going to be losing my mind next week with wedding stuff.
It's difficult to counter anything Mowery says because she's coming from a peculiar position. She's deep in the political mess that is the inner workings of the LADOT. She really can't be too critical of her own department and push for more progressive advances in bike infrastructure. As we've seen before, that kind of mandate comes from the top down. The only way to change the top down mandate from "move more cars" to "move more people" is by doing some hard core lobbying of the politicians and the public.
It's true, we need to move beyond the "we're here to raise awareness" stance, which is just the usual reaction to the "us v. them" debate, to "yo, motorists, we'll stop slowing down traffic and running stop signs if you help us lobby for better bike infrastructure." Easy as that. Change the focus of the discussion from finger-pointing to giving an incentive and motivation for each side to work together.
Just have to keep repeating to the public, motorists, mass transit users and pedestrians particularly, that better bike infrastructure means LESS traffic. Win-win situation. How can the public not get behind that?
DJwheels responding to a
comment by Roadblock
11.6.09 - 3:58 pm
reply
this is why DJWheels needs to be on air.
Roadblock responding to a
comment by DJwheels
11.6.09 - 4:05 pm
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Forget about educating motorists about the dangers to cyclists and the law and raising awareness. I doubt people will ever really understand, unless they get on a bike and go for a ride out there in the streets. You know a good portion of people just never will.
Yes, we still need awareness and education to a certain extent, but it can't be the main goal and priority.
Convincing the public that bike infrastructure means LESS TRAFFIC should be the priority.
Once regular motorists start telling the LADOT to paint more bike lanes, I bet you'll see some streets painted...with the quickness!
DJwheels responding to a
comment by Roadblock
11.6.09 - 4:23 pm
reply
c'mon man.... I sent them your info... do it
re: your wedding... hey you gotta send me some info remember?
Roadblock responding to a
comment by DJwheels
11.6.09 - 4:29 pm
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why did i keep saying michelle is from LABC?
Sorry... I meant LADOT.
this is why i dont belong on the air... ill forget im talking about bicycles.
md211.6.09 - 7:36 pm
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DJ,
I looked over to the right at the Upcoming Ridezz and I don't see any wedding!
It's not for realz unless it's a bike ride!
SoapBoxLA11.6.09 - 8:04 pm
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Reminder: Tune in tomorrow morning if you can.
10:20 – 11:00
Topic: PAVEMENT WARS - PART 2: Last week we talked about the assault, battery and mayhem convictions of Dr. Christopher Thompson, who attacked a group of cyclists on Mandeville Canyon Road by swerving his car in front of them and jamming on the brakes, seriously injuring two of them. Response to the segment was overwhelming. However, many KPCC listeners raised questions about the laws that govern cyclists. Are cyclists required to yield for passing cars? Are bikes permitted on sidewalks? What are the rights and responsibilities of California cyclists? And what is being done to improve conditions for bikes?
Guest: Ted Rodgers, freelance advertising copy writer who maintains the bikinginla blog. Avid cyclists and bike advocate
IN STUDIO
Guest: Michelle Mowery, senior bicycle coordinator at LADOT
IN STUDIO
md211.10.09 - 8:01 pm
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Segment coming up after the break.
DJwheels11.11.09 - 10:21 am
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Ted Rogers and Michelle Mowery doing a good job so far.
Not much hate from the callers yet.
DJwheels11.11.09 - 10:42 am
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Wow that was short. But I liked that some information got out there to the public that is not normally talked about.
thegodofthor11.11.09 - 11:00 am
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The show was too short. I feel like they barely scratched the surface of the issues.
hockeyjockey responding to a
comment by DJwheels
11.11.09 - 11:00 am
reply
i loved that larry mantle got put in his place when he was told it was legal to take the lane.
onemanstrash11.11.09 - 11:05 am
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Yeah, I know, but I'll take 40 minutes of a reasonable pro-cycling discussion over a poorly reported 1 minute blurb in the news about another cyclist getting killed by a car.
DJwheels responding to a
comment by hockeyjockey
11.11.09 - 11:05 am
reply
Agreed it was too short and superficial, but given the forum, Ted spoke well--and Mowrey presented relatively well, too.
Y'all should consider cutting/pasting your comments into the comment box over at KPCC. The more they get, the more likely they'll give more airtime. Seems we've somewhat got a live media outlet on this for the moment, and we should take all efforts to keep it rolling. I say spam the hell out out their comment box. There's 42 already--shoot for 100.
http://www.scpr.org/programs/airtalk/2009/11/11/pavement-wars-cyclists-vs-motorists-part-2/
dudeonabike11.11.09 - 11:13 am
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Damn I missed this posting yesterday. I might have caught it if it was titled "PAVEMENT WARS - PART 2:" or something. I thought this thing was about someone's rant. Guess I'll have to reside to just listening to the archived show.
User111.11.09 - 11:24 am
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just so you guys know... fill in the questionaire on the KPCC get involved section
http://www.scpr.org/in/questions/bike/
Ive been corresponding with Sharon. She is really nice and is a cyclist herself. She is very interested and eager to get our info.
I'm hoping to stay in touch with her and keep asking about KPCC to touch on these topics more. I think we all need to be creative and suggest hot topic ideas... rather than keep pushing for the same topic to be discussed.
But if we can push for one thing as a group, im going suggest:
A series about the topic. I think it would be great to see a three day, or week long series to address the issues talked about in the past two segments. Give people a day to think about what they heard and return to it the next day and so on.
--
It was disappointing to hear Larry seem overly eager to justify some of the frustrations of motorists. He really wanted to cosign their irritation with slow traffic, and this overly hyped notion of cyclist taking up the road. His dumb analogy of driving slow to check out the scenery (thus he'll pull over to let traffic pass), was not only an example of dangerous driving (should you be distracted while driving a vehicle?), but of how out of touch he is with the issue. If we dont correct our habits, there will not be much of a pretty world to gaze upon.
Also, i think we owe Ted and Michelle a lot of respect. Ted did absolutely great given his resources. He was sharp, lucid and just to the point. We couldnt have asked for more. Michelle cosigned him a lot.
md211.11.09 - 7:18 pm
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thank you for articulating what i felt about larry's analogies. they are very telling of how out of touch he is with the cycling realities we face. I also would like to thank Ted and Michelle for doing a great job on the fly.
I think a good issue would be to dedicate some streets for cycling. Cars can go anywhere already and there is traffic jams everyday. So the cars had their way and it didn't work. But there are no dedicated streets for cycling. I think that would a great compromise instead of building new bike lanes just let us have a fraction of some side streets Cars could park on the street if they lived there but it wouldn;'t be for cross traffic.
I will ride everywhere and anywhere but people like my girlfriend are afraid of fighting the cars so she sticks to bike lanes. So she won't go with me to across the city since there are not really any bike paths.
onemanstrash responding to a
comment by md2
11.11.09 - 7:48 pm
reply
I agree with you about Ted and Michelle, I was pretty pleased with what both of them said.
Larry was frustrating. Talking about how "rude" cyclists are who take the lane for unjustified reasons. You know what's rude? Driving a car. It's fuckin selfish to drive a car. Polluting the air, costing us billions in road repair and infrastructure not to mention the carbon footprint. It's just plain selfish if you think about it. I wrote so much on his blog.
Roadblock responding to a
comment by md2
11.11.09 - 11:02 pm
reply
hah... i wrote on the blog too... though i transformed into:
ben d's car
matthew's update
KS3 Solutiona
and few others....one of my post got deleted -- i really went for it, and they said: nope.
Another person got mad that i impersonated them.
I tried getting on air, but when i said i wanted to ask larry about his comment, they said: i take your comment off-air. So i hung up.
md2 responding to a
comment by Roadblock
11.12.09 - 7:51 am
reply
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