I don't agree with that, they just meet a different set of criteria than a great personal bike. They are heavy and the gears are slow, slower, slowest. But, they are able to accommodate many rider sizes and survive in the elements pretty well.

That doesn't make them free from maintenance (they need more..), best for moderate-long rides (not their target market), or ergonomically preferable to any but the most average of riders (for my 6'3 body, the handlebars are a little low for the style of bike, but the seat height can be adjusted perfectly).