The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday reminded the public that the ban on electric bicycles and tricycles (e-bikes and e-trikes) tricycles, pushcarts, pedicabs, kuligligs, and light electric vehicles will be enforced on major thoroughfares in the National Capital Region (NCR) beginning April 15.
The prohibition will be enforced on the following roads in Metro Manila: Claro M. Recto Avenue; President Quirino Avenue; Araneta Avenue; Epifanio de los Santos Avenue; Katipunan / Carlos P. Garcia; Southeast Metro Manila Expressway; Roxas Boulevard; Taft Avenue; South Superhighway; Shaw Boulevard; Ortigas Avenue; Magsaysay Boulevard / Aurora Boulevard; Quezon Avenue / Commonwealth Avenue; Andres Bonifacio Avenue; Rizal Avenue; Road 10: Del Pan; McArthur Highway; Elliptical Road; Mindanao Avenue, and Marcos Highway.
Drivers caught passing through those streets will be fined P2,500, while the vehicle units will be confiscated and impounded if the driver is not registered and/or does not have a license. Joel Zurbano
The Metro Manila Council recently passed Regulation No.24-002 Series of 2024, which prohibits the said vehicles from passing through national roads, circumferential roads, radial roads, and areas under the jurisdiction of the MMDA.
MMDA chairman Don Artes said the ban will be implemented due to the rising number of light electric vehicles on the streets and the increase in road crashes involving them.
The MMDA Road Safety Unit reported 907 e-bike, e-trike, and e-scooter-related road crashes in Metro Manila last year, a nearly triple increase from the 309 accidents in 2019.
“We will not wait for these figures to go higher and the situation to worsen,” said Artes.
He said that there’s a big chance of fatality if the e-bike, e-trike, and e-scooter users traverse roads with vehicles driving at 60 to 80 kilometers per hour, since their vehicles are open and wearing a helmet is not required.
Artes said the target date for the release of the IRR is one to two weeks before the April 15 implementation and will take into consideration the position papers to be submitted by the stakeholders.
“We will incorporate in the IRR all the suggestions to address all the concerns and issues that have arisen and will conduct an information drive and campaign before the enforcement of the regulation,” he added.
Artes said that the stakeholders understood that the regulation doesn’t mean a total ban on their electric light vehicles but rather a safety measure on their part.