Today, while making my weekly commute from Economics class in Nelson, to my room in Syme Hall, I encountered something unusual. As I make my way through the brick yard, I here intense shouting. Before I know it, I realize I’ve been swarmed by a mob of angry scooter enthusiasts.
For context, I assumed most of y’all have seen the new lime scooters around campus. If you don’t know what I am talking about, Dr Basset discusses him in one of his more recent blog posts. They have taken campus by storm, due to a new contract made by NC State. One of the terms to this new contract, however, is to rid NCSU of the notorious bird scooters.
Supporters of the Lime Scooters praise the ease of access, and how they only have to use one app for both “Lime Bikes” and ” Lime Scooters” . ” Birds look too complicated to use, and they hardly ever work” says freshman Katie Richardson.
Although many people are in support of the new change, some are extremely unhappy that they have ” Caged the birds”. Many of the so called “Bird-People” decided to protest in the brickyard on Tuesday with a pickets and signs saying “Free the Birds!” and “F*** Lime”. Additionally, these advocates attempted to predatorily run down students riding lime scooters, and circle the fallen limes on their Bird scooters like vultures.
Like any good journalist, I had to cover both sides. I spent about 20 minutes among the “bird people”, who are self proclaimed “Scooter enthusiasts, who just want their favorite scooter back on campus” I personally understand their sentiment, but is violence, and disruption of the peace really the way to go about it?
That’s the question I pose you all, was it right to take away the birds, or was the backlash not worth it?
Ooty Kumaran