You can take it anywhere and just leave it? Middle of the road? Under a bridge? Random backyard? That sounds useful but how often do you not need transportation back from where you came? If you leave the bike how easy is it to run into another bike someone randonly left?

I can leave an ebike on a random sidewalk, as long as it is not blocking the way, for a $2 fee, or at a dock, of which there are many, for free.

How often do I do this? Probably once a week. Bike out to the beach, walk or bus back. Bike to the grocery store, lyft back. Go on a walk after work, not have to worry about getting home.

How easy is it too find one? Pretty easy. There are docks everywhere, and an app that shows me where bikes are left.

Wouldn't that make it super easy to steal an ebike? No your problem but I wonder if putting these in a truck would be an effective business model

They actually do this to rebalance them, so they probably pick up random bikes too.

It's not really up to discussion, that it works it's proven, it's a system in use in many cities. If you have enough bikes/cars, you will tend to have one available in an acceptable range of time and space. If you go to the outskirts of the city, you don't "release" the bike/car and pay more to have the guarantee to be able to go back.

If people see random bikes wouldn't they do fun kid stuff like throw them off of bridges or knock them over?

For a while the scooter companies removed them from South Bend, Indiana for this exact reason.

Can't find that link, but here's some similar cases: https://www.kcrg.com/2021/06/03/teen-arrested-for-throwing-e... https://slate.com/technology/2018/12/electric-scooter-bird-l...

The biggest benefit of using the Bay Wheels subscription over owning is not having to worry about your e-bike being stolen. It's definitely worth it at the price point it's currently at.

The only downside is that as people return to the bay, the e-bikes (and bikes) are going to become more and more scarce at docks.

You can also insure your ebike

You still have to worry about it, take it with you from A -> B -> A, carry your helmet, ensure it is always charged, reserve space to store it at home, and spend who knows how long dealing with insurance if it is stolen, as well as now being without your bike.

I do a lot of commuting on my ebike, but their are clear situational benefits for the alternative.