These things are everywhere in my neighborhood and even though I try to take transit (or walk) as much as possible, sometimes you a car is the best option to get where you’re going and these are so much nicer than an Uber/Lyft/taxi. No surprise that ridership has exploded since they became accessible to the general public.
Don’t forget this is a dense city. Isolation is in short supply! It’s nice to be able to choose a non-social option to get somewhere if that’s what I’m in the mood for. And obviously everyone is different but I’m usually taking a car to see my friends, go to a concert, store, restaurant, etc – the difference being that I am choosing those social interactions and opting out of the social part of a cab ride; not something I’ve personally ever held much in value in the first place.