These scooters are a real eyesore, and imposition on the rest of the pedestrian public IMO. Without any equity in them, in the form of a responsibly/considerately returned based deposit there is no motivation to treat them well and thus they are often treated as, and perceived as junk. The rental companies must buy these for far less than one might think or they’d build some deeper asset protection into their business models.
Then there is the whole personal and public safety/liability issue....Ive seen some crazy antics most of us wouldnt think to do, on these scooters by casual and unqualified riders.