One aspect that seems unacknowledged (maybe it is in the article, I haven't finished it) is weather. I bought an electric scooter and happily used it along with biking last summer. However the moment it turned cold in New York, scootering became significantly less appealing. My hands get really cold; snow, slush and ice increase danger and my friends were less likely to want to come with me.

It's quite noticeable that the cities cited are all relatively warm places. I bet that as scooters expand to colder areas, they'll have a harder time with adoption.

Edit: the article does acknowledge it!

> If nothing else, the day would prove conclusively that scootering is not the best mode of travel in the dead of a New York winter. You can’t put your hands in your pockets while driving or lean into the wind. In a lot of ways, walking that last mile works better, and it’s free.