Cyclists outraged by DJ's comments in Portland

Bicycle riders in Portland, Oregon, are fuming over comments made by a radio program's host who broadcast insensitive remarks about cyclists injured in traffic accidents.

The remarks, reported in Jonathan Maus' BikePortland blog, set of a firestorm of protests from cyclists who are variously seeking an apology, a retraction, or retribution. Portland cyclists who battle traffic everyday aren't taking this lying down.

It all started when a BikePortland's reader heard the host of “The Playhouse” on 95.5 Jammin' FM, owned by Paul Allen's Rose City Radio, talking about cyclists. Among his on-air remarks:

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

The host, “P.K.”, got in touch with Maus, and said that his comments were taken out of context. That's a weak argument, Maus points out, as listeners come and go during radio broadcasts and may not hear the qualifying statements.

Whether P.K. admits it or not, Maus later wrote, “the host’s comments desensitized his listeners and emboldened them to drive more aggressively around cyclists. This is simply unacceptable in Portland.”

According to BikePortland, the program manager, Tim McNamara, has apologized about the show and so has the host who uttered the tasteless remarks. He's received more than 700 emails, been contacted by lawyers, and has been been confronted by angry cyclists outside his home.

McNamara has said he would be happy to run public service announcements, give away free bikes, make donations to bicycle groups. Maus and other cyclists in Portland are considering their options — press for some official sanction from the FCC or go along with the program manager's desire to make amends.

Another Portland cyclist has set up a website — Nationally syndicated radio show promotes violence toward bicycle riders — with links to comments made on “the Playhouse” website, as well as directions about how to file a protest with the FCC.

Meanwhile, the recording of the show has mysteriously disappeared.