If you stretch an argument to worry about public funds lost to medical bills or lawsuits, someone might respond that the more people we encourage to leave their cars at home, the better we are off when it comes to safety, pollution, congestion, noise, etc.

I walk out of my place and there are huge lines of cars parked against the kerb, I can hear car traffic constantly even from inside the building, it can be dangerous to cross the road, and so on. I've been to Santa Monica a few times and know that the same applies there. What gives you such a strong reaction to this new option that you might not apply to an existing technology?

With anything new there is a settling period. It makes for an interesting discussion (where to park them, etc) but you sound pretty outraged: cannot stand. littered. annoying. constantly riding them without helmets! nuisance. ban.