Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Omaha Cycling Issues Discussed on KFAB Talk Radio

On Monday, May 18, 2009, from 6pm to 7pm, Marty Shukert and Mark Siepker appeared on the Tom Becka radio show on KFAB. They spoke about bicycling issues, with a special emphasis on cycling as transportation, which unfortunately, seemed to be lost on the host.

Thanks to Marty and Mark for taking their time to talk about the issues on-air. Thanks to the Omaha Pedalers Bicycle Club for organizing the coat drive leading up to the radio appearance.

The KFAB web site is difficult to navigate, so I present the direct link to the recorded interview here: KFAB 5/18/2009, 6pm (mp3)

See also:

9 comments:

erik said...

That guy is a rush limbaugh wannabe.

erik said...

better question.

are we really so backwards as a city that the very existence of cyclists on the road is considered questionable in the least?

lame.

munsoned said...

I don't know if it would help people like Mr. Becka, but if I had a sign on my bike to explain why I'm "in their way," it'd say, "I can't afford another car."

Granted, even if I could afford another car, I would ride anyway, but they don't have to know that.

erik said...

munson, i think such a sign would just open you up to even worse tirades and abuses based on class assumptions -- these idiots don't want to understand.

RD said...

trying to be objective but was there really anything accomplished by that show last night ?
I don't know I would like to say no...At least they should of announce the new bike lanes going into effect.

Scott Redd said...

If Becka lived in Iowa, he could put one of these cool license plates on his car.

Unknown said...

Becka seems to blame cyclists for all his road-based woes, saying things like having to slam on his brakes and veer into other lanes to avoid us. I think he paints a better picture of what's wrong with our streets, inattentive or just plain bad drivers.

munsoned said...

Yeah, my question would have been, "So cyclists break the laws, huh? So I suppose you NEVER go over the speed limit and always come to a complete stop before stop signs every time?"

Marty and Marc were very well behaved. I'm glad they were our ambassadors as I don't think I could have kept my composure and probably would been kicked out of the studio after contracting a slight case of tourrettes. The censor button guy would have gotten a workout had I been there.

erik said...

well, i wish they would've advocated a bit more -- like i'm frankly disturbed that they think it is "crazy" to cycle in snow. Allowing that sort of talk further otherizes cyclists and harms relations even more by making us out to be anything other than absolutely NORMAL parts of a city transit system, YEAR ROUND.

Dozens of people do it in this town, and it's really quite normal amongst most cyclists in such climes.