An advocate for people with disabilities is suing the city of Minneapolis and the electric scooter sharing companies Lime and Bird, alleging the vehicles have made sidewalks inaccessible. Noah McCourt, who has autism and a coordination disorder that slows his reaction time, said he’s constantly dodging scooters on the sidewalk, and was left with a large bruise on his leg after tripping over a scooter at a light rail station.

He said the vehicles are also an impediment to people who use wheelchairs. He claims in a federal lawsuit filed in October that the city and scooter companies are violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“Cities always act like this is no big deal,” McCourt said. “They pooh pooh you. But this is a big deal for people with disabilities.”

Minneapolis officials aren’t commenting on the lawsuit. E-scooter company Lime said in a statement that it has “engaged disability advocates,” and is working to “educate riders and the community about proper riding and parking etiquette to ensure scooters are parked in an orderly, respectful way.”

Bird ended operations in Minneapolis in late 2018.

(Source: Minnesota Public Radio)