rick hammel
FYI:
http://www.bikeleague.org/index.cfm
Clear Channel moves to woo bicyclists
Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO - Clear Channel Communications has
joined forces with
the League of American Bicyclists to promote
cycling.
That's after some on-air personalities at Clear
Channel radio
stations had suggested mayhem against bicyclists.
In recent months, broadcasts in Houston, Cleveland
and Raleigh,
N.C., included suggestions to throw bottles at
riders,
hit them with open car doors and blast horns.
Listeners called in to agree, vent and share
stories.
In announcing the alliance on Thursday, officials
for the nation's
largest radio group said they will tolerate no more
anti-bicyclist
rhetoric by its disc jockeys.
"We look forward to a very productive partnership
with this
important organization, focused on promoting safe
conditions for
bicyclists," John Hogan, president of the company's
1,200-station
radio division, said in an e-mail.
Representatives [of The League of] American
Bicyclists, which represents
more
than 300,000 riders, met with officials at Clear
Channel's San
Antonio headquarters Wednesday to air concerns about
"shock jocks"
encouraging motorists to harass cyclists.
Clear Channel said the comments were not meant to be
serious.
The company has issued an apology and has
disciplined some
employees, including firing a Houston producer.
Also, all three stations have since started running
public service
announcements to educate drivers about bicycle
safety.
Clear Channel stations have promoted or helped
sponsor bicycling
events for years - more than 100 since 2002.
The company even had a team of riders in this year's
Bike to the
Beach ride from San Antonio to Corpus Christi to
raise money for
the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The cycling group and company officials intend to
meet again early
next year to discuss further steps.
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