Unless you want to, say, make a run down to Trader Joe's in Edgewater, or the occasional jaunt up to Nyack, or deal with the 25% grade near me in Washington Heights, or do 20 or 30 miles a day without having to get on a single-speed every damn time.

The statement is probably accurate for people in midtown or Chelsea who are going a few miles, but that's not what all of NYC is like. Unless you just enjoy gambling, know your terrain before putting your money down on a vehicle that might not be suitable for it.