I didn't notice that! You do wonder how these bikes end up as hack bikes used purely for transport by people with no interest in cycling. A common gear I've seen people use is with both gear levers pushed forward all the way, ie small ring and smallest sprocket.
This is the sort of bike I like for utility cycling, a Puch Elegance:
This is the sort of bike I like for utility cycling, a Puch Elegance: