MANILA, (PIA) — Starting April 15, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will enforce the ban on e-bikes and e-trikes traveling along major roads in Metro Manila.
The ban covers 19 identified thoroughfares, with local government units having the authority to add more roads based on their ordinances.
MMDA Chairman Don Artes stated that the enforcement date was set after aggressive information dissemination drives to inform e-bike and e-trike owners and users.
This enforcement is based on Metro Manila Council (MMC) Resolution 2024-022, aiming to regulate e-vehicles due to road safety concerns.
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The ban’s implementation will follow the MMC’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), with a minimum of 15 days allotted for information drives before enforcement begins.
During a consultation with stakeholders, considerations were raised regarding the classification of e-bikes and e-trikes and the areas where they will still be permitted.
Pedal-assist e-bikes, for instance, will be allowed on major thoroughfares if they use designated bike lanes.
This regulation comes in response to rising road accidents involving e-bikes and e-trikes, with cases doubling from 500 in 2022 to 900 in the past year, resulting in two fatalities.
While some groups have complained about singling out e-vehicles, the MMDA clarified that enforcement against them is not new, as a memorandum was issued in 2020 prohibiting them on national roads and major thoroughfares.
The MMDA emphasized that the regulation aims to ensure safety, especially since some e-trike owners allow minors to drive along major roads. Riders found violating the ban will receive citation tickets, and unregistered e-trikes ridden by individuals without driver’s licenses will be impounded.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is currently holding consultations to determine regulations regarding e-bike and e-trike registration and whether riders should be required to have driver’s licenses. These discussions aim to establish appropriate guidelines while considering existing laws promoting e-vehicle ownership and local government projects utilizing these vehicles. (PIA-NCR)
