Potentially stupid question

Why not just own a bike?

It just always surprises me this is a system people pay for. I feel like for the cost of the annual membership you can get a decent enough bike.

I was talking about it with a friend and he said I just don’t get it.

The only reason I could see it being better than just owing a bike is maybe you live on a high floor of an apartment that’s stairs only?

Asking in good faith genuinely curious about experiences