Consumer Reports pulls recommendation for all e-scooters amid soaring injury rates

Consumer Reports announced it can no longer recommend any brand of e-scooter, citing their inherent instability compared with e-bikes and a sharp rise in rider injuries. Data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission show injuries climbing from about 10,500 in 2017 to nearly 80,000 by 2024, a 662 % increase, with children representing more than 45 % of victims. In August, the group tested 13 models and found the most common top speed now around 20 mph, with one reaching 28 mph—almost double the speed of models tested in 2022.

Some market offerings, dubbed hyper scooters, can exceed 75 mph, but Consumer Reports did not evaluate them and advises against their use. The agency also noted a lack of comprehensive safety standards from manufacturers or independent labs. State rules differ: Pennsylvania law makes e-scooters illegal on public highways, while New Jersey requires rider licenses, vehicle registration, and liability insurance for faster models, treating those under 19 mph as bicycles. Experts stress that without uniform standards, consumers cannot rely on manufacturers to prioritize safety.