Consumer Reports Withdrew E-Scooter Safety Ratings

Safety concerns have led the organization to pull its recommendations for 13 different electric scooter models.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Motocycles

Consumer Reports Withdrew E-Scooter Safety Ratings

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Do you trust the safety of electric scooters for your own daily transportation needs?

Consumer Reports has officially withdrawn all safety recommendations for electric scooters after two testers were injured during evaluations. The decision follows a significant rise in e-scooter injuries nationwide.

Why it matters

The shift highlights growing safety concerns as average top speeds for modern models have increased since 2022. This move reflects the organization's response to rising injury rates and specific risks identified during track testing.

Consumer Reports evaluated 13 e-scooter models, all capable of reaching 20 miles per hour. This speed exceeds the 15.5 miles per hour limit seen in the fastest models tested during 2022.

The players

Consumer Reports

This independent, non-profit organization performs rigorous product testing and provides safety evaluations for consumer goods.

Consumer Product Safety Commission

This federal agency is responsible for monitoring product safety and tracking injury statistics across the United States.

The details

Testers suffered injuries after hitting gravel while turning at 20 miles per hour, revealing that braking weight often shifts forward and reduces rear wheel traction. Most incidents occurring in the field do not involve other vehicles, pointing to stability issues with current designs.

In 2017, the CPSC recorded 10,500 e-scooter injuries.
Consumer Reports previously tested e-scooter models in 2022.
The CPSC recorded nearly 80,000 e-scooter injuries in 2024.
Consumer Reports released the e-scooter safety report in September 2026.

Roadmap

The rise of e-scooters mirrors the broader transition toward micro-mobility solutions that frequently outpace existing safety infrastructure. This industry-wide trend toward higher speeds forces testing bodies to re-evaluate whether current consumer hardware meets the demands of urban commuting.

Potential buyers should note that current models reaching 20 miles per hour pose increased stability risks during turns. Riders should prioritize wearing protective gear and exercising caution on gravel or uneven terrain until manufacturers address these braking and traction vulnerabilities.

The takeaway

Riders must understand that the increased speed of modern scooters significantly changes how the vehicle handles during emergency stops or maneuvers. Prioritizing safety over raw speed remains the most effective way to avoid common, non-vehicular e-scooter accidents.