Lime has now set their rental scooters to shut down if they are ridden over the pride flag crosswalk in Spokane, Washington in order to prevent anyone from creating skidmarks on the crosswalk with the scooters.
Here’s more from The Publica:
Lime, a popular electric scooter and bike rental service, has announced it will be implementing a “no-go zone” around a crosswalk painted with a large Pride flag mural in Spokane, Washington. The crosswalk has become the center of much discussion after the arrest of multiple teens for making skid marks on the painted pavement.
On June 6, the Spokane Police Department announced the arrest of three teenagers on charges of 1st Degree Malicious Mischief, all in relation to the alleged vandalism of a Pride flag-painted crosswalk at the intersection of Howard Street and Spokane Falls Boulevard.
According to the press release, “911 received a complaint advising multiple subjects on scooters were causing damage to the newly painted Pride mural.”
The release continued: “Officers observed widespread damage as black scuff marks consistent with scooter wheels were observed across the entirety of the mural. The area is clearly marked to keep traffic away as it was just re-painted to repair previous damage.”
Just after these three were arrested for desecrating this ‘holy’ mural, several others were seen riding on it with Lime scooters:
A group of five to six kids just starting doing donuts and creating skid marks on the Pride Mural. Right in front of me as we’re reporting on three people getting arrested for doing the same thing last night.@KHQLocalNews pic.twitter.com/FMXGAg77fx
— Adam Schwager (@schwagerTV) June 6, 2024
These kids also made skid marks up Howard right in front of Boo Radley’s, so I’m not sure it was targeted at the mural, or just general vandalism. pic.twitter.com/0fBzHhFB6b
— Adam Schwager (@schwagerTV) June 6, 2024
Of course, Lime and Spokane are now being mocked for painting a pride flag mural on a busy street in the first place:
The symbol is so revered officials placed it on the ground on a public road. And prosecutors are seeking to punish those who leave tire skid markings on the street.
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) June 8, 2024
These reporters are more upset when pride paint is scuffed than when leftists tear down US founding fathers statues 🧐 These are public streets. Not just for the mo’s
— Jon Nicosia (@NewsPolitics) June 8, 2024
If you don't want people riding on it, perhaps it shouldn't be painted on the ground. But I think the point of putting it on the ground is just so supporters can voice grievances & always play the victim.
— Rae ❤️🔥 (@FiatLuxGenesis) June 8, 2024
And when you approach the flag of our faith, you must dismount your conveyance and carry it with reverence across the hallowed ground
For our god Pride is a jealous god, visiting iniquity upon insufficiently respectful teenagers https://t.co/CoU3uHKtwt
— PoIiMath (@politicalmath) June 10, 2024
Washington lets people OD on heroin in front of your business, but teens get arrested for riding over a painted road?
These people hate your guts. https://t.co/HVwLnQQdHK
— Ryder Selmi (@RyderSelmi) June 10, 2024
The sacred shrines of the new civil religion will not be mocked https://t.co/lONJFfdZVP
— Cardinal Curmudgeon (@Gimblin) June 10, 2024
I think we should all take several long moments to discuss the fact that technology exists to create no go zones for public streets. https://t.co/mqhgcjRPgH
— alexandriabrown (@alexthechick) June 10, 2024