You are absolutely right. I think these companies have only gotten away with the business model because the scooters seem to have less maintenance costs or are cheaper to replace. Many bikeshare companies pulled out of Paris because people were so hard on them and some have been pulled out of the Seine. Newer companies have entered with e-bike rentals and there’s still the public bike share program, but they’re expensive, which must be a discouraging factor for their abuse and helps the company recoup maintenance costs.

All the elegance of a bicycle is removed to make room for the indestructible design so as to be viable for public rental. And still they have flat tires, grimy chains, and shoddy brakes. They’re also so heavy, which makes commuting further than a few kilometers a slog unless they’re electric, and those are expensive.

I suspect that people are dissuaded from alternative transport for this reason of disrespect for common space and property. The metro is disgusting and sometimes dangerous, and the rental bikes aren’t a great alternative.