The success of paragliding is mainly due to slow flying characteristics and the absence of rigid parts. So the ability to land slowly and safely anywhere with no airframe to bend is priceless. Foot-launching is a great asset. The short turning radius, combined with slow flying speed makes even a cricket pitch size field surrounded by trees a safe place to fly from. The main advantage is that he or she already possesses the wing and knows how to fly it.
Nothing can beat paragliding on the right day in the right place.
Petrol smells, oil sticks, noise is a pain and the ozone layer is thinning. Flying onto an unlaunchable hill is great. Retrieving oneself is also possible. Self sustaining and self launching sailplanes exist for exactly these reasons. Ridge soaring close to the hill is a buzz.