I like the idea of it being a gift shop option. The developers work hard and this isn't a feature everyone would use.
I enjoy having my pokemon follow me personally, as the heartgold visuals add, but that's not a bad idea at all. Using the skins from there as a skin for a bike is pretty brilliant. It will still take some work, but it's another means to keep this game running. And in the long run that means we all win.