We've had the same bikes in Minneapolis since 2010. Theft is not a problem. You can't get them out of their stations without damaging them. Besides, who's a bike thief going to sell one of them to?
I figured vandalism would be a bigger problem but so far it hasn't been.
They are heavy but 1st gear is low enough to get them over bridge without too much trouble.
My guess is that newbies would stay out of the places where extreme speed and agility are required.