The problem that people have with e-scooters is that they're new & different. So many people (and local governments) hate change and do what they can to control it. Officials and luddites alike complain about the problems that cars cause (like congestion, pollution, drunk drivers, etc). However, when the free-market offers a solution to the problem that consumers (locals and tourists alike) love, the folks who want to run our lives and tell us what we can and can't do, try to regulate them as much as possible (potentially killing the business or hurting the adoption).
Like most things you can get to the bottom of it if you follow the money (aka taxes). Cities (like SF) will offer e-scooter licenses (aka medallions) so they and their cronies can make these companies kiss the ring, limit the supply and take a big cut of the profits (which will ultimately hurt consumers... aka us).