I've ridden the step through bikes in Holland. If I were in a position where I was getting on and off the bike regularly, or had an issue stepping over the top tube, it wouldn't concern me one bit to be on one. If you ever look at city rideshare bikes that are popping up in America, which get used and abused by people with no incentive to care about their well being daily, they are almost exclusively step thru for ease of use, and don't seem to be falling apart in any great number.