Amid concerns on the recent decision to ban electric bicycles and tricycles from Metro Manila’s major thoroughfares, officials said no such ban has been implemented in Calabarzon region as of now.
In a recent media interview, Patrick Peter Pol De Quiros, Legal Officer of LTO Region IV-A, clarified that e-bikes and e-trikes may still be used on highways and other roads in the Calabarzon region, as long as safety for both riders and pedestrians is at the highest priority.
“For clarification, the current ban on e-bikes is being implemented as a pilot program in Metro Manila and on other key major roads. It does not cover the entire Metro Manila area; the memorandum specifies only certain major roads that will be identified,” De Quiros stated.
Selected areas in Calabarzon, however, are included in the order.
“Within the Calabarzon region, the area affected is Rizal—specifically Sumulong Highway, which I believe is included. As far as I know, that is the only one included for now, as some parts of these major roads connect to Metro Manila.”
Although the use of these vehicles is not prohibited in the Calabarzon region, De Quiros emphasized that the agency’s goal is to ensure that electric vehicles are properly registered, that drivers hold the appropriate licenses based on the vehicle category, and that all traffic regulations are strictly followed to help prevent accidents.
In a recent video statement, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao reiterated that the current enforcement is the implementation of a long-standing policy, not the creation of a new restriction or ban.
“This enforcement is based on general considerations of road safety. These major roads are designed for faster and larger vehicles and are not suitable for e-trikes due to the speed of traffic flow, volume of vehicles using major roads, and the width of the roads. The use of slower and lighter vehicles in this type of roadways clearly poses a danger to all road users,” Lacanilao said in a press release.
As guidance to the public, e-trikes are strictly not allowed along major highways in Metro Manila, including Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), C-5 Road, Roxas Boulevard, and Quirino Ave to Magallanes–South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).
Those caught driving e-trikes in prohibited areas will face charges under Republic Act No. 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, as well as Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01.
In Laguna province, only Biñan City has so far passed an ordinance regulating the use of e-bikes and e-trikes along its major roads, as well as provisions for their registration.
A similar ordinance is now also being crafted in Calamba City, as announced last December.
(With report from PIA)
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