[ndaiger]

They're not really that cheap to rent, although they're competitive with bike share prices.

If you, say, used one to get to & from work on a commute of a few miles you'd break even on buying your own scooter pretty quickly.

The big advantage is not having to deal with storing or charging the scooter, ever.

In Santa Monica & Venice there is usually a Bird or two within a block of you at all times.