We commended the Metro Manila Development Authority or MMDA early on for its decision to ban e-trikes, e-bikes and similar vehicles on national roads as this would help achieve smoother traffic flow and keep these slow-moving vehicles safe from bigger ones on the road.
Under MMDA Regulation 24-022, the use of e-vehicles, such as e-bikes and e-trikes, as well as tricycles, pedicabs, pushcarts and tractor-drawn carts known as “kuliglig” would be prohibited on national, circumferential and radial roads of the capital region.
The policy, however, also said light electric vehicles weighing less than 50 kilograms can still use these roads if they are inside established bike lanes or need to cross the road.
Last April 17, the MMDA began to implement its order. Those caught using electric vehicles on national roads in Metro Manila were issued citation tickets and made to pay P2,500 as fine while the unregistered ones were impounded.
But President Marcos Jr. immediately ordered the MMDA to allow a grace period to those affected by the ban, citing the need to conduct a widespread information dissemination campaign before the agency resumes its campaign to ban e-trikes and similar vehicles from main streets.
However, the Chief Executive stood by the MMDA’s decision to ban e-bikes on major thoroughfares.
The grace period given to owners and drivers of small e-vehicles is a step in the right direction as it would give them enough time to review their daily operations and find new routes that would allow them to earn their keep without violating the new rules.
At the same time, the MMDA should assist them in adjusting to the new regulations.
After all, those plying city streets using e-trikes have no other means of livelihood and have to eke out a decent living amid hard times.
When the MMDA started to implement its order last April 17, their operatives caught drivers of 131 vehicles and impounded 41 for violating the ban.
The day’s catch included 72 tricycles, four pedicabs, 26 e-trikes, and 29 e-bikes.
They were issued tickets and fined P2,500 each—a princely sum for those who can barely afford to eat three square meals a day.
Forty-one of the apprehended vehicles were impounded after their drivers failed to present licenses or registration papers for their vehicles.
It is true that the proliferation of small e-vehicles on already crowded national roads is not only a safety issue but also contributes to heavy traffic congestion.
While critics may see this as another policy that discriminates against the poor who have no other means to provide for their families, it is a temporary measure that serves to alleviate traffic build-up.
The long-term solution is really to build more bus and rail networks across the metropolis so that the e-trikes and pedicabs can still prove useful and convenient for commuters for short trips from Point A to Point B but only on side streets.