In case you haven’t noticed, KATU (our local ABC-TV affiliate) has been doing some quality reporting on bicycle-related news stories lately.
I can barely stand to watch most network TV news, but KATU reporters Anita Kissee-Wilder and Brian Barker are doing great work. As avid cyclists themselves, they bring a much-needed perspective and sensibility to the newsroom.
An example of this came last night in Anita’s story on the recent death of cyclist Mike Wilberding. The story is currently on the front page of their website and they’ve got the full text and video up as well. It’s worth watching.
The story—which features interviews with advocate Susan Otcenas and Mike’s son Dayn—is balanced yet provocative and gets some important points across to an audience that desperately needs to hear them.
Far from a quick soundbite, the story was relatively long and in-depth; a sign that bicycle-related stories are gaining respect in the newsroom. My hunch is that this is due in no small part to the internal advocacy of Kissee-Wilder and Barker.
I see this as yet another sign that cycling continues to transcend mere hobby or recreational status in the eyes of the Portland mainstream media and non-cycling (yet) public.