I just started riding again and my 2 cents probably isn't worth that, but I like having the front suspension on my hybrid bike, even if I don't use it a lot. I've mainly ridden on the paved greenway trails, but also on some light dirt trails and when I have to ride on streets with bumps, holes, etc,. After remembering I had shocks, and to unlock them, it made riding on those a lot nicer, and I'm glad to have them. But, while it's nice to have, I don't feel they're "necessary" and it would probably suck if I couldn't lock them when not needed. Without that locking option, I'd definitely want rigid forks instead. As far as I can tell, the only riding that actually needs suspension is real mountain bike riding.