Thirteen E-Scooter Models Lost Safety Recommendations
Safety concerns over high speeds and braking instability have led to retracted product ratings for e-scooter owners.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Motocycles
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Consumer Reports has withheld its safety recommendations from 13 e-scooter models following testing that resulted in injuries to two of its own evaluators. The assessment reflects growing concerns over the stability of devices now capable of reaching common speeds of 20 mph.
Why it matters
The shift in ratings comes as e-scooters have become significantly faster than in prior years, creating new braking and handling hazards for riders. This trend coincides with a sharp increase in national injury counts, highlighting the safety risks of modern personal electric transport.
Consumer Reports withheld recommendations for 13 models after two testers were injured. These units hit speeds of 20 mph, up from a top speed of 15.5 mph recorded during previous 2022 evaluations.
The players
Consumer Reports
An independent non-profit organization that provides product testing, reviews, and safety ratings to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.
Consumer Product Safety Commission
The federal agency responsible for protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with consumer products.
The details
The testing revealed that the current design of many e-scooters causes weight to shift dangerously forward onto the front wheel during braking. Additionally, the tests showed that rear wheels are prone to skidding when a rider attempts to brake while turning, a maneuver that led to a shoulder injury for one tester on gravel.
Timeline
10,500 e-scooter injuries were recorded in 2017.
Consumer Reports previously tested e-scooter models in 2022.
Nearly 80,000 e-scooter injuries were recorded in 2024.
The Home Front
The rise in e-scooter injuries follows a documented trend in the Consumer Product Safety Commission annual injury data reporting. These figures reflect how increasing speed capabilities in personal electric vehicles significantly impact rider safety.
If you own an e-scooter, prioritize practice in a controlled environment to understand how your specific model handles weight shifts during emergency braking. Avoid high-speed maneuvers on loose surfaces like gravel, as these conditions significantly increase the risk of skidding.
The takeaway
The increased speed of modern e-scooters makes braking and cornering more hazardous than in previous years. Always wear a helmet and inspect your device's brake responsiveness before every ride to ensure optimal performance.
Further reading
For more information on the latest safety testing, visit our Motocycles section.
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