Local radio show promotes hatred toward cyclists

Cyclist Lanette Noble was driving across town yesterday morning when she tuned her radio dial to 95.5 Jammin’ FM and heard the hosts of the Emmy-nominated morning show “The Playhouse” talking about cyclists.

She was appalled at what she heard next:

“I couldn’t believe my ears. The hosts began by discussing their hatred and frustration for cyclists.”

Lanette, a Nike employee who commutes to work, says that the female host told a story about a friend who had recently hit a cyclist with her car while driving downtown. The cyclist was sent to the hospital. Lanette thought the host would be saddened by this news, but instead she says that “the male host was elated.” Here’s more from Lanette:

“He then encouraged listeners to call in and tell more stories of cyclist who had been smashed by cars because the thought of it really pumped him up.

The female host then told a story of how the other day she had intentionally cut a cyclist off and the cyclist punched her rear window. She said, “Now I carry extra water bottles in my car to throw at them.”

If this wasn’t bad enough, the worst was yet to come. According to Lanette, the male host then explained how much he hated cyclists and said,

“When I hear on TV that a cyclist has been hit and killed by a car I laugh, I think it’s funny”

He followed this by saying,

“If you are a cyclist you should know I exist, that I don’t care about you. That I don’t care about your life.”

Lanette, a cyclist who only drives about once a month using Flexcar was extremely upset at what she heard and doesn’t think this sort of prejudice against any group of people should be tolerated on a public radio station.

I think this station and the community needs to hear loud and clear that promoting violence and hatred between road users is not acceptable.

Jammin’ 95.5 is owned by Rose City Radio which also owns KXL Newsradio 750, home of every cyclist’s favorite radio personality, Lars Larson. According to Wikipedia, Rose City Radio is owned by Trailblazers owner and Microsoft Co-founder Paul Allen.

Tim McNamara is the station’s General Manager and can be reached by calling (503) 243-7595. You can send Mr. McNamara a message via their feedback page.

Please consider contacting the station and letting them know how you feel.

UPDATE: Here’s the FCC’s online complaint form for “Obscene, Profane, and/or Indecent Material”. I just submitted a complaint.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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Brett
Brett
17 years ago

I suggest a peaceful demonstration of bike love and rider unity, something to show how large the bike community in Portland is. Perhaps someone could pick up the ball.

Brett

Jeff
17 years ago

How about a mass campaign to shame this idiotic station into firing their pathetic hosts, instead… it’s worked on a number of DJs who endorsed or advocated violence against peaceful civilians recently.

ChronicKindness
ChronicKindness
10 years ago
Reply to  Jeff

Which DJ’s, and what violence exactly? Are you making this up?

patrick
patrick
17 years ago

I don’t agree with it, but I’m sure it’s part of their “gig”. Radio DJ’s are notorious for things like this, getting people all pumped up calling in, makes for a great morning show. Sure this is a sensitive subject in Portland these days and the last thing we need is a wacky morning DJ trying to drum up ratings on the Friday morning show, but I’ll bet it’s just a “gig”.

Tomas-Co-Sauce
Tomas-Co-Sauce
17 years ago

It’s SH!T like this that keeps me from listening to radio or watching TV. I’ll stick to the “Inter-Webs” and choose my news and entertainment.

-Tomas

Gregg
Gregg
17 years ago

Not to Lanette but it would be nice to actually hear the piece or at least know of somebody else who did.

Regardless, I can’t believe that the man on the air stated that he cut somebody off intentionally. That’s attempted murder right there!

Joe
Joe
17 years ago

dear patrick! i don’t give a rats a$$ if it’s a gig, i’m out there on my bike everyday and i don’t need some waste of skin telling the world that he doesn’t care about the life of a cyclist! F*ck that and their “gig”! and that idea about a peaceful demonstration is full of it too! yeah, hitting us and being glad we are dead is really peaceful. too many of you hippies always saying we have to be peaceful, and just show our unity. was that dj being peaceful….NO! this city runs on the bicycle, and anyone that comes out and says the things that the dj said should be made to walk the plank!

banjo
banjo
17 years ago

A few thoughts:

Terrorism (n): “the unlawful use or threat of violence esp. against the state or the public as a politically motivated means of attack or coercion”

Cyclists have a legal right to occupy and use the public right-of-way. Is not the use or threat of violence against American citizens using the public right-of-way an act of terrorism? Are not the comments of these hosts in support of terrorist acts against American citizens?

Gregg
Gregg
17 years ago

Joe, I can’t speak for anybody else here but I am right there with you at least in spirit. But, it will be difficult to convince somebody of the immorality of their deed by acting in the exact same way. Gandhi said it best “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind”. But honestly, talking to these morning show creeps is truly a waste of time. Nothing will get done without going to the people that write their checks. As mentioned above, look what happened to the DJs who made fun of Nick Berg’s brutal death.

Jeremy
Jeremy
17 years ago

The number listed above is their news room. You’ve got to call the main desk to get to Tim. The number is 503-243-7595. Start leaving messages for the man and maybe he can fire off some canned remark about how they’re just having fun, not realizing that many of their listeners are unstable enough to actually lead by their pathetic example.

pdxrocket
pdxrocket
17 years ago

I have only seen “The Playhouse” once on local access. They try to be this copycat of Howard Stern; when they truly have no talent whatsoever. I know it’s not right for them to say the sh!t they do on-air, but I’m guessing they only do that so it upsets people like us into fighting back. WHich for them only helps their ratings.

Secretly someone should just have the on-air talent’s cars towed and replace them all with bikes. 🙂

Michael
Michael
17 years ago

This station is using publicly owned broadcast spectrum. File a complaint with the FCC here: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html The station owners will get serious if their license is in jeopardy.

Michael
Michael
17 years ago

Any attorneys out there that want to start a class action?

Brett
Brett
17 years ago

Joe,
I am ex-US ARMY infantry. I carry a concealed firearm on my person 90% of the time. I am not a hippie. I have seen violent things you probably haven’t. I think you need to breathe deeply and start working at the least possible violent resolution to this… but hey at least your in the system.

Brett

Gregg
Gregg
17 years ago

Michael, aren’t you getting a little bit ahead of yourself? Shouldn’t we give the owners of the station to redeem themselves before trying to litigate? This was all just annoying talk, there was no real damange done (yet) to anybody and certainly not to many.

Gregg
Gregg
17 years ago

Boy, I can’t type today. I meant “give the owners of the station a chance…”

Michael
Michael
17 years ago

If you don’t get how awful this is, substitute woman or child for cyclist, then change hit to rape.

Or change cyclist to nigger, etc.

This kind of solicitation of violence and hatred is as disgusting as humans can get.

There is nothing funny about it.

Adams Carroll (News Intern)
17 years ago

Gregg,

Yes perhaps we should give the station time to make a statement…but I don’t agree with you that no real damage has been done.

People hear this stuff and it makes them less sensitive to sharing the road. This station reaches thousands of impressionable young people who drive 3,000 pound vehicles.

Some damage has already been done.

Dave
Dave
17 years ago

What about a boycott of their advertisers until the hosts are fired? Money speaks louder than words.

Steve
Steve
17 years ago

Are these “playhouse” yahoos locally produced or are they a syndicated show carried by 95.5 and if they are local do we have a names to attach these idiots (actual names, not what we want to call them)?
Steve

Lenny Anderson
17 years ago

This is an assault on every cyclist in Portland, even the Mayor of Vancouver, and on and on.
These people should be put on indefinite unpaid leave and sent back to kindergarden to learn basic civility. Their driver’s licenses should be revoked.

No Pets
No Pets
17 years ago

I have only seen “The Playhouse” once on local access.”

oh it’s that guy?!?! What a douchebag! If he comes near me with his car while I’m riding my bike I will at least take his mirror off!!….and maybe bust a window!

Adams Carroll (News Intern)
17 years ago

Steve,

I think it’s a national show. Here’s the link to the show’s website with a photo of the host.

Lanette couldn’t recall names of the hosts.

banjo
banjo
17 years ago

Perhaps we could get these hosts to sit down, face to face, with the families of cyclists who have been killed over the last few years. That’ll sober them up pretty quick.

And/or: as a requirement for keeping their jobs, they must commute exclusively by bike for the next three months. (Let ’em off easy, no rain to deal with.) No carpooling, no Trimet, no Flexcar.

Lanette
Lanette
17 years ago

I agree with both Michael and Gregg. I am not only angry because I’m a cyclist, I’m angry because open hatred and prejudice doesn’t belong on public broadcast. The hosts made it sound very cool to be violent towards cyclists. It was as if cyclists weren’t even people, rather annoying bugs that should be squashed. Very disturbing to hear and I would feel the same discust over such hatred against any group of people.

Brett
Brett
17 years ago

Much like the people in here don’t automatically represent their true self… PK doesn’t either on the show. I took a parachute class with him a couple of years ago. With the exception of his fancy car and his electronic gadgets… he was actually reserved. Or… maybe the show is his true self and the class was a persona. I guess my point is that he is probably just ignorant about bicycling. We should, whatever happens, try to help him to understand that he has gone too far in the interest of his… craft.

Evan Manvel
17 years ago

The BTA sent KXL a similar comment to that we sent in February when a different radio show/station had some negative talk. In that case, the comments were taken out of context, and were followed by some pro-bike comments. I can only hope this case was the same, but doubt it.

Joe
Joe
17 years ago

well, brett when i don’t see anymore stories of people getting away with hitting and killing a cyclist then, i’ll be peaceful. i’m sorry you have seen all these terrible things, but i did not ask you to join up in the army. you carrying a weapon has nothing to do with me or anyone else, these people that threaten mine and everyone elses life on the road with there 2 ton metal death box’s are the problem.

chris
chris
17 years ago

for whatever it’s worth i just emailed Tim McNamara to tell him how sick all this makes me. i’d be into a group ride to the studio/offices of 95.5

C3PNo
17 years ago

Grrrr…just picture the flipside…cyclists getting together and advocating for picking off SUVs with grenade launchers…how quickly labeled “terrorism” in all forms of corpomedia d’ya think?

Mr.Mediator
Mr.Mediator
17 years ago

What these people don’t realize is that cycling on the streets is a suicide pact. And we should ride, and act, and *respond* accordingly.

Instead of hitting a driver’s window, if a cyclist pulls a driver out of his car at a light and gives him a sound beating after an illegal, life-threatening 4-wheel maneuver, we can up the ante and give these morning show people something to really talk about.

Alternately, and in the best tradition of zombie media, perhaps we could publish the DJs’ home addresses and phone numbers?

Turn about, as they say, is fair play.

Jasun Wurster
Jasun Wurster
17 years ago

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/obscene.html

Why not request the FCC to review an archive of the show.

Also, listen to the show, as hard as it may be for who the advertisers make your views known to them.

I do like the idea of getting a mass of cyclist riding a circle around the radio station … however it would be very useful to have a recording of the comments to provide to the media. More damning for the radio station.

Brett
Brett
17 years ago

Joe,
My point is that you don’t know me, and therefore are simply being judgemental in calling me a hippie. Now, how are you being judgemental against the people from the radio show? The people at the show didn’t kill anyone. They just have a sense of humor that I don’t agree with. Jonathan is right about giving them time to respond. To effect the deepest change we must transcend the violent behavior used by the show hosts. There are always “stronger” ways to make a point… but ALL reasonable attempts at diplomacy MUST be exhausted first. Now a question to all that all involved in this… have you all called or e/snail mailed the station? (of course that’s rhetorical)

Lanette
Lanette
17 years ago

Any ideas on how to request a recording? Maybe it can be found on the internet. they must have archives.

Joe
Joe
17 years ago

so, you believe you know me then? brett, have your opnion, that’s your right. i’ll keep mine.

el timito
el timito
17 years ago

The Playhouse is locally produced, according to their webpage. Started in Florida, moved to California, then came here.

I say forget directing action against the dj’s, go straight to their bosses – station manager, Paul Allen, FCC. Let them know there’s a difference between being an edgy radio personality and being a homicidal a**hole.

Adams Carroll (News Intern)
17 years ago

The FCC website has an online form you can fill out for reporting “Obscene, Profane, and/or Indecent Material”.

It took me 2 mins. and I just lifted some quotes from the post.

Bobby
Bobby
17 years ago

FIRE the whole Crew!!!!!

erik
erik
17 years ago

too bad i live in philadelphia, but if this shit was going on here i’d stand up for myself and my cycling bretheren and unleash some u-lock justice in the playhouse.

Jasun Wurster
Jasun Wurster
17 years ago

They could have good press … or bad press. The same goes for us.

http://www.jamminfm.com/ArDisplay.aspx?ID=50240&SecID=23

The show is a nationally syndicated show I think giving the local station an option.

Thought the event looks like a totall PR sham … little kids and their parents will be there. So here is my thought …

Yea we could roll up with signs and inform the public of their shitty selection of syndicated shows … or give them the option to invite and compensate local bicycle non-profits to educate them thought their audience.

Pressure them to buy lights, helmets, hire bike safety teachers and apologize in a meaningful way.

I say ‘make them pay’ … but in a way that is a bit more thoughtful and wins support for our cause as opposed to potentially alienating new riders.

jasun

Brett
Brett
17 years ago

Jasun,
Right on. I wonder… I see that the station does a lot of good in the city… wouldn’t it be better to target a function that the Playhouse is hosting instead of one that the station is? I really like your philosophy on not alienating new riders.

Allen
Allen
17 years ago

they’ve got a podcast of the shows but they look a few days delayed, so maybe in a day or two they’ll have the audio from this.

Randy
Randy
17 years ago

This has happened on other talk shows on radio stations in other cities around the country. Pressure should be brought on the station to make a public retraction and/or fire the DJ(s) responsible. Polite but firm emails and calls work best, don’t get hysterical. If this station is owned by Paul Allen, he should ultimately be made aware of the situation, and I would suggest a very public boycott of his radio stations and other local business ventures, including the Blazers basketball team.

Randy
Randy
17 years ago

One more thing – IMO, this qualifies as hate speech and death threats, certainly not something covered by the first amendment.

andy
andy
17 years ago

I’ve already sent an email to a number of my friends (who aren’t cyclists), asking them to boycott 95.5/KXL, and to tell the station why they are doing so.

Brett
Brett
17 years ago

ORS…
163.190 Menacing. (1) A person commits the crime of menacing if by word or conduct the person intentionally attempts to place another person in fear of imminent serious physical injury.

(2) Menacing is a Class A misdemeanor. [1971 c.743 §95]

But make sure you yourself aren’t guilty…

wig-1
17 years ago

well since im a city boy 100% i would deal with him the way we deal with people like him in the city…xx00…
but he is a radio host.this is the USA. so let him talk let them all talk.
and the next time some asshole honks ther horn at you ride slower.ride in thee lane….
how much is gas this week $3.25..soon my friends they will all be on bikes…then they will see the fault of there ways..

Brad
Brad
17 years ago

My comments sent to Mr. McNamara:

RE: Jammin’ 95.5 Playhouse Comments regarding Cyclists

Horrible! I know the show is desperately attempting to make 15 year olds giggle with its sophisticated humor but gleefully celebrating car-cyclist accidents is not funny at all. I have never known the topics of death or serious injury to ever be humorous. I also do not find attempts to validate sociopathic driving behaviors or attempted homicide to be guffaw inducing gut busters either.

Mr. McNamara, I suggest that you invite the surviving members of the McDaniel family of Forest Grove to be guests on “The Playhouse”. They lost their parents over the Memorial Day weekend when a negligent driver crossed into the bike lane on Hwy. 47 and struck them from behind killing them in the process. Let your witty radio personalities engage them in their live on-air antics.

It appears that Rose City Radio is another jewel in Paul Allen’s business crown. It also appears that your organization maintains the high ethical and moral standards we have come to expect from another of Mr. Allen’s properties: The Trailblazers.

Brad
Brad
17 years ago

Is there any chance we can get an all day Critical Mass ride going around the station? Get enough riders and no one gets in or out of that building (or parking lot) for as long as we ride. (Including Lars!)

Joe
Joe
17 years ago

an all day critical would be great! non of that two 2 hours and then disperse…i bet even the bike cops would love to do that….THEY ARE ON BIKES TOO!!! wouldn’t they want to feel safe on the road aswell?

Joe
Joe
17 years ago

oh wait, all they do is ride on sidewalks…nevermind