Scooter Company To Shut Down Devices Ridden Across LGBTQ+ Crosswalk

Last week, the Spokane Police Department announced felony charges for one adult and two minors for riding scooters over an LGBTQ+ crosswalk in Spokane, Washington.

Investigators say the scooters left "black scuff marks on the mural. 

In addition to the charges, Lime, a company that rents scooters to pedestrians, implemented a "no-go zone" in which it will remotely shut down any scooter ridden across the mural.

According to Lime's website, entering a "no-go zone" will cause a Lime vehicle to "gradually come to a stop," forcing a rider to walk their scooter until it is outside the zone.

"All of us at Lime condemn these vile acts in no uncertain terms," said Lime Director of Government Relations Hayden Harvey in a statement to the National Desk.

"At a time when our teams at Lime are beginning pride celebrations around the globe, it is disturbing to see the hate taking place in Spokane. We will not let the hateful few spoil the joy of Pride Month in Spokane, and are grateful for those working to make Spokane more welcoming for all."

If only society took actual acts of vandalism as seriously as it does when someone rides over a Pride flag painted on the cement near an intersection. 

Americans can burn the flag, destroy statues, and burn buildings in the name of George Floyd – but the line is drawn when they ride their scooters over an unreasonably large flag painting.

Could the city not paint the flag on a wall if it had to be treated with so much sensitivity? 

Granted, at least the pedestrians didn't ride the scooters across a BLM flag. If there's one group more protected than the LGBTQIA+ community, it's supporters of BLM.

Here are some of the best responses to Lime's new "no-go zone."

Spokane Pride said it raised enough money via a fundraiser to repair the "damage," as in the scuff marks, to the crosswalk.