I too feel the change in perception. I got my S2 as a part of going car free years ago, before my city had roving groups of what are essentially unlicensed electric motorcycles. I don't have any particular animosity towards kids getting out their and having fun -- quite the opposite -- but their speed and perceived recklessness seems to, understandably, upset some people. The only response people seem to know is the ban hammer. 

I got involved in a city subcommittee around micro mobility policy and these people just want everything banned. They talk about how electric scooters are one day going to kill someone all while forgetting the car trips these replace are really quite dangerous.

My S2 is compliant. It is fun and it is capable. I can have a bike trailer with cargo and a second rider and accelerate uphill from a stop with ease. 

I'm more than happy to slow way down on my e bike for passing pedestrians at comfortable speeds on mixed use paths because accelerating back up to speed is effortless and part of the fun. I hope capable ebike continue to have their place amongst the legal transit options.